Family: Lamiaceae
Common name: Malabar catmint, Perumthumba, Karinthumba, Gopoli, Codhara, Peimiratti, Bhutan kusham, Peyameratti, Anisomeles salviifolia, Nepeta malabarica
Malabar catmint is a small perennial herb native to India and Sri Lanka, valued for its medicinal and commercial uses. They grow well in tropical and sub-tropical weather; the leaves are used to produce perfumes and essential oils for aromatherapy.
Plant Characteristics
Malabar Catmint plants are short and shrubby, growing to a height of 1.5 to 2 meters with long, straggling stems. Cross-section of the stem is roughly square, and they are pale green with a woody texture towards the base.
Leaves are elongated, ovate in shape with a narrow, rounded tip and slightly serrated margins. Malabar catmint leaves are pale green with a bumpy texture due to the presence of oil glands in them.
These leaves are 5-8 cm long with a hairy texture, especially on the lower surface. When crushed or bruised, the leaves emit a strong, pleasant fragrance like many other plants in the Lamiaceae family like the Tulsi, Mint, and Catnips.
Malabar catmint plants flower profusely, almost throughout the year in warm, tropical weather, producing an abundance of fragrant, lavender-colored flowers.
These flowers are borne on tall spikes, that have whorls of flowers at regular intervals, each whorl having multiple flowers pointed outwards.
Each flower is about 1 cm long, tubular with a prominent and larger lower lip with multiple lobes, and a small upper lip. Malabar catmint flowers are fragrant attracting bees, insects, and butterflies that help pollinate the flowers.
Fruits are small and dry nuts containing about 4 seeds, that fall to the ground and germinate. Or are eaten by birds and small animals that help in propagation.
Gardening Tips
Malabar catmint plants need bright sunlight for most part of the day, and they are tolerant of moderate weather fluctuations. Regular watering is required since these plants tend to wilt and dry up without water.
Soil should be porous and well-draining for the shallow, fibrous roots to spread out horizontally. Pruning can help remove spent flowers and also keep the plant compact. Left to themselves, these stems may grow very long and leggy after they produce the flowers.
Fertilization can be done once in 2-3 weeks with compost or animal manure. Natural biofertilizers like Pseudomonas can help improve the quality of soil, especially when they are grown in pots.
Since the leaves and flowers contain essential oils, they are relatively pest-resistant. Any infestation can be treated easily with neem oil or insecticidal soap solution sprayed once a week on the leaves of the plant.
Malabar catmint plants are closely related to Salvia Officinalis or Sage, Ocimum Sanctum or Tulsi, and Nepeta cataria or Catnip plants.
Uses of Malabar catmint
Malabar Catmint plants have been used in traditional herbal medicine in India and Sri Lanka to treat fever, inflammations, arthritis, rheumatism, worms, allergies, fungal infections, skin diseases, and respiratory ailments.
Decoction of the leaves can be used to make a soothing tea, with some honey added for sweetness.
The leaves of Malabar Catmint contain essential oils, which are used in making cosmetics, perfumes, soaps, and also in aromatherapy. Leaves are used in religious rituals.
Dried leaves can be used in potpourri and also inside closets or drawers to keep insects away. Their essential oils are key ingredients in some pesticides since they repel mosquitoes and pests.
Malabar Catmint plants are grown in home gardens as ornamentals for their fragrant leaves and flowers. They are not very fussy, requiring very little care to grow and maintain.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds and stem cuttings.
Flowers and seeds are produced in abundance and hence propagation through seeds is the most viable. Dried seeds can be collected and sown in moist soil for germination in 8-10 days. Stem cuttings taken from healthy plants can also root quickly in a potting mix.
Photographed at: Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah
