Patchouli Plant – Protecting in the Winter

Q: I am attempting to over-winter a patchouli plant indoors. Last summer it was a huge, gorgeous outdoor plant. I’ve moved it inside to a window where it gets pretty good light but the leaves continue to turn yellow.

A: Patchouli, Pogostemon patchouli or Pogostemon cablin is a tropical plant native to southeast Asia. It grows there in the shade of large trees in soil that stays slightly moist constantly. It is sensitive to overwatering and to underwatering. Temperatures lower than 50 degrees make it wilt. Try to approximate the conditions it likes and see what happens. My suspicion is that it isn’t getting quite enough light. Try siting a compact fluorescent bulb twelve inches from the plant.