How to Grow Orthosiphon aristatus (Cat's Whiskers)? A Full Breakdown of the Latest Planting Precautions

Orthosiphon aristatus is a wild plant with a unique form that is often overlooked. In fact, its value is fairly high: it can be used as medicine, it can protect the kidneys, and it has an enhancing effect on the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Because wild resources are scarce, it is cultivated artificially on a large scale. Below, the editor brings you the precautions for growing it.

1. Temperature

The suitable growing temperature for Orthosiphon aristatus is 18-25 degrees. Once the temperature falls below 18 degrees, its cuttings will find it extremely difficult to take root and are not easy to keep alive, and the plant's growth rate will also be extremely slow; when the temperature is above 25 degrees, it can grow normally for a short time, but prolonged high temperatures will make the cut ends of its cuttings susceptible to invasion by pathogens, and the higher the temperature, the higher the rate of bacterial production. Therefore, temperature must be paid special attention to during cultivation. During propagation, if the temperature is too low, good insulation measures should be taken; at high temperatures, measures such as increasing shading, sprinkling water and improving ventilation should be used to lower the temperature.

2. Humidity

Orthosiphon aristatus likes shady and humid environments, so after cuttings are taken, sufficient air humidity must be maintained, preferably around 80%. If the air humidity is too low, you can lower the temperature and increase moisture by watering or spraying water mist. However, be careful not to spray too much; twice a day is appropriate. In summer, when temperatures are high and evaporation is greater, you can spray a few more times. In rainy weather, the air humidity is already high, so if the soil moisture is also high, you can skip spraying, and at the same time good drainage measures should be taken.

3. Light

Orthosiphon aristatus likes to grow in environments with sufficient light, but it fears sun exposure. Strong direct sunlight will cause its stems, leaves and flowers to wilt, and in summer the temperature is high and the sunlight is rather harsh; if it is directly exposed to the sun, in severe cases it can be sunburned to death. Therefore, in summer, good sunlight shading should be provided; you can set up a shade net to increase the degree of shading, as scattered light is already enough for its growth. Outside of summer, it can be given full-day light care, and the shade net can be removed.

If any plant is to grow quickly and well, fertilization is indispensable, but when fertilizing Orthosiphon aristatus, note that you cannot just broadcast it randomly; you must choose fertilizers suitable for its growth, such as potassium fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer. Watering should be done according to whether the soil is dry or wet. If the soil is not dry, try not to water it, and each time you water, water it thoroughly. In addition, when fertilizing, be careful not to sprinkle fertilizer on the leaves and flowers, so as to avoid burning the leaves and flowers and causing their death.

The above is an introduction to the planting precautions for Orthosiphon aristatus. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.