Found along the edges of forests and thickets, it prefers full sun and warm temperatures.
The plant is hardy inUSDA hardiness zones9-12 and is considered tropical.
Cat whiskers should be planted in an area offull sunin well-draining soil.
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The flower spikes offer a good source of nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies in apollinator garden.
It is an easy-care plant requiring moderate water levels and feeding.
Light
Cat whiskers prefer a location infull sunbut can tolerate some light shade.
The blooms will be more profuse when the plant is grown in full sun.
Soil
The plant prefers a neutralsoil pHthat is well-draining.
Water
Newly planted cat whiskers should be watered regularly until they become established.
After they become well-settled, only moderate watering is required unless there are periods of extreme drought.
Container-grown plants require more frequent watering because container soil dries out faster than garden bed soil.
Temperature and Humidity
As a tropical plant, cat whiskers requires warm temperatures and is not cold-tolerant.
Warm, humid air will encourage bloom production.
Fertilizer
If the soil is fertile, additional fertilization is usually not needed.
In cooler zones, the foliage will die back when temperatures become colder.
Cut the stems down to ground level.
Propagating Cat Whiskers
Propagation is usually done through stem cuttings.
Remove the seeds from the pods and store them in a small paper bag or envelope.
The shrub is semi-deciduous and will drop some leaves during the winter but will not become completely bare.
Most container-grown plants should be consideredannuals.
you could take cuttings in autumn or collect seeds to start new plants in the spring.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
There are no known serious disease or pest problems for cat whiskers.
Common Problems with Cat Whiskers
Cat whiskers can spread and overtake smaller plants in a perennial bed.
Prune judiciously to keep them to a manageable size.
They do perform well in outdoor container gardens.
Due to their height, they work well as a backdrop to a mixed perennial bed.
The plant offers a unique conical bloom that adds a tall element to the garden.
The blooms also attract pollinators like hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
Orthosiphon aristatus.Plants for a Future.com
