Pogostemon cablin This exotically fragrant member of the mint family is easy to grow and rewarding. Perhaps best known for the popularity of its essential oil in the 1960s, Patchouli’s aroma is a complex, woodsy, spicy, earthy musk. It has been used in perfumes, soaps, incense, and even boasts medicinal, antibacterial and antifungal properties. The plants grow to 30 inches tall and wide and produce jade green leaves and whorls of small white flowers. Requiring minimal fertilizer, it’s fast growing and responds well to pinching or shearing. A tender perennial, it happily overwinters in a bright window when the temperature drops below 50°F. Hardy in zones 9-11.