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Cats Whiskers (Orthosiphon aristatus)

Cats Whiskers (Orthosiphon aristatus)

Regular price $18.75
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Why we love this plant!

A standout in pollinator-friendly gardens, this herbaceous perennial produces striking white or pale lavender flower spikes with delicate filaments resembling cat’s whiskers. Well-suited to South East Queensland’s warm climate, it thrives in garden beds or containers, attracting bees and butterflies throughout the flowering season. Often used in traditional medicine, it has additional cultural significance. Its ability to flourish in a range of conditions makes it a great choice for informal borders, native gardens, or as a feature plant in wildlife-friendly landscapes.

Care Considerations

Watering preferences:

  • Requires regular watering to maintain consistent soil moisture, particularly in warmer months.

Mulching preferences:

  • Applying mulch may help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Fertilising preferences:

  • Adding organic matter at planting may improve soil structure.
  • A water-soluble fertiliser during the growing season may support flowering.

Pruning preferences:

  • Prune after flowering to remove spent flower spikes and encourage bushier growth.

Good to Know:

  • Prefers warm, humid conditions and may need protection from frost in cooler inland areas of South East Queensland.
  • Attracts bees and butterflies.

Plant Details

Common uses: Border planting, Pollinator-friendly, Seasonal colour, Edible, Bush tucker, Low maintenance garden, Courtyard garden, Textural interest, and Tropical garden
Expected Height Range: 0.5 m - 1 m
Spread Range: 0.5 m - 1 m
Preferred positioning: Full sun, Partial sun, and Partial shade
Flower Season/s: Spring, Summer, and Autumn
Flower Colour/s:
Plant life cycle: Perennial
Habitat: Native to Southeast Asia and the tropical regions of Australia, where it is often found in open, grassy areas and along forest edges.
Leaf information: Soft, bright green, lance-shaped leaves with finely serrated edges.
Preferred Soil: Prefers fertile, well-drained soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pHPrefers fertile, well-drained soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Benefits from rich organic matter for best flowering.
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Important Notice:

The information on this page is intended as a general guide to help you make informed decisions about your garden. It's your responsibility to assess whether this information suits your specific situation and local conditions.

While we work hard to keep our information accurate and current, gardening involves many variables that can affect plant performance and suitability. What works in one garden may not work in another.

Livable Garden Centre doesn't provide guarantees or warranties about the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of this information. We also can't guarantee specific outcomes for plants or products featured on our website. Use this information at your own discretion and risk.

Always consider your local climate, soil conditions, and specific garden needs when making planting decisions. When in doubt, consult with local gardening professionals or extension services.