Java Tea (Orthosiphon stamineus)
Cat’s Whiskers Herb with Powerful Wellness Benefits and Pollinator Magic
Java Tea (Orthosiphon stamineus), also known as Cat’s Whiskers, is a striking medicinal herb native to Southeast Asia, revered for its powerful kidney-supporting and anti-inflammatory properties. Traditionally brewed as an herbal tea throughout Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, this plant is known to support urinary health, detoxification, and metabolic balance.
In the garden, Java Tea is just as impressive: it produces tall spikes of white to pale purple flowers with long, whisker-like stamens that attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Its soft, serrated green leaves are the part most often harvested, typically dried and steeped into herbal infusions.
Easy to grow and beautiful in bloom, Java Tea thrives in warm, humid conditions, prefers full sun to part shade, and grows well in both containers and garden beds. It makes a lovely and functional addition to herbal gardens, tropical borders, and permaculture plots.
| Scientific Name | Orthosiphon stamineus |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Java Tea, Cat’s Whiskers, Kumis Kucing |
| Family | Lamiaceae (Mint Family) |
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Plant Type | Medicinal Herb / Flowering Perennial |
| Life Cycle | Perennial in warm climates |
| Food Forest Layer | Herb Layer |
| Mature Size | 2–4 ft tall and wide |
| Light | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Water Needs | Moderate to High |
| Harvest Season | Spring through Fall (leaves); summer for flowers |
| Time to Harvest | 60–90 days from planting |
| Self-Fertile | Yes |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to Fast |
| Zones | USDA Zones 9–11 |
| Florida Native | No |
| Propagation | Cuttings, Seeds |
| Seasonal Characteristics | Evergreen in warm zones; flowers attract pollinators |
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