Orthosiphon aristatus (cat's whiskers, "Nekonohige")

Japanese name: ネコノヒゲ （猫髭）
Scientific name: Orthosiphon aristatus

[Overview]
A perennial 40–100 cm tall, but because it has weak cold tolerance, it is mainly treated as an annual in Japan.
The stem has ridges and is square in cross section.
The leaves are simple, opposite or whorled, ovate, 6–9 cm long and 2–5 cm wide, with pointed tips.
The leaf margins are toothed.
A verticillaster emerges at the stem tip, and flowering begins from the lower nodes of the stem.
The flowers are long, tubular, two-lipped, white or tinged with purple.
There are 4 stamens, which, together with the pistil, protrude far out of the flower and curve upward.
It flowers all year round if the temperature is suitable.
The fruit is a schizocarp.

[Uses]
It is used medicinally and as tea.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by division or cuttings.
To overwinter, keep it at 10°C or above.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil.
Take care that it does not run short of water; for potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless summer brings a long sunny, dry spell.
In spring and autumn, place slow-release chemical fertilizer on the soil.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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