Researchers discover what a perfume from Ancient Rome was made of: Patchouli!
Pogostemon cablin - Patchouli
Pogostemon cablin - Patchouli
Researchers discover what a perfume from Ancient Rome was made of: Patchouli!
⚡️ A research team at the University of Cordoba has identified the composition of a Roman perfume more than 2,000 years old thanks to the discovery of a small vessel of ointment in Carmona, Spain.
⚡️ The mausoleum held the remains of six individuals in six urns, one of which was made of glass and contained the remains of a woman who died between 30 and 40 years of age. Her cloth bag held a rock crystal flask sealed with a stone and bitumen and three amber beads...
⚡️The well-preserved material inside the flask was examined with X-ray diffraction, gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry. The study determined that the scent was derived from Pogostemon cablin, a plant from India used to produce the scent Patchouli.
⚡️Patchouli only grows in the tropical climates of southern and southeastern Asia. This means it would have been imported into Roman territory and sold in products crafted for wealthy patrons who craved access to exotic ingredients.
⚡️ The high quality of the flask holding the scent suggests that it was a valuable product.
⚠️ Get your own valuable Patchouli Plant and always have the heavenly smell with you!
🏵 Champaka - Joy Perfume Tree is in full bloom in our garden (in the video: var. Alba). The fragrance is smelled yards away! It is filling the air around.
🏵 The flowers from this tree -Magnolia (Michelia) champaca - are used to make the world's most expensive perfume 'Joy' and smell like fruity bubble gum 🎀... you can't stop sticking your nose in this flower!
🏵 Sacred tree of India and SE Asia, its flowers exude a divine fragrance that is exceedingly pleasing to the Gods... and women.
🏵 Perfect small landscape tree of a columnar shape. Ideal for containers.
🏵 Relatively cold hardy
🏵 Rare collectible, a gem of any plant collection!
How to make the whole garden fragrant.
List of the most fragrant yet easy to grow plants
Q: Dear toptropicals, thanks for the great database on tropicals
plants! I really enjoy browsing your web site and I am planning on completing
my collection by purchasing some plants from your shop. I am particularly
looking for fragrant plants that make the whole area fragrant. Can you provide
a list of recommended fragrant plants that bloom throughout the year round? I
currently have: murraya, plumeria, michelia alba, figo, champaca, rangoon
creeper, honeysuckle, jasmine, stephanotis, Arabian sambac, brunfelsias.
By Tatiana Anderson, Horticulture Expert at Top
Tropicals
Jasmine Sambac varieties: Arabian
Nights, Little Duke, Belle of India, Grand Duke, Duke Supreme, Maid of
Orleans, Mysore Mulli, Malichat, Gundu Mallii
One of the reasons Jasmine Sambac is so fascinating is that it does not
come in just one form. Each variety has its own personality.
If you want a compact patio plant, Arabian Nights or Little
Duke are excellent choices. They stay tidy, bloom generously, and are
easy to manage in containers.
If you prefer elegant, elongated petals and a refined look, Belle of
India is a favorite. It can be grown as a small bush or trained lightly
as
a vine.
For those who love full, carnation-like double flowers, Grand Duke of
Tuscany and Grand Duke Supreme are classic
selections. They are vigorous and make impressive shrubs in warm
climates.
If you need a stronger climber for fences or hedges, Maid of
Orleans performs beautifully in full sun while Mysore Mulli
prefers semi-shade.
Collectors often enjoy rare forms like Mali Chat or newer hybrids
such as Gundu Malli, which combine traits from different lines.
How to Grow Jasmine Sambac Successfully
Sambac is not difficult, but it responds best to consistency.
Light: Full sun produces the most flowers. In very hot
climates, light
afternoon shade is acceptable. Indoors, place it in the brightest window
available.
Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix such as Sunshine
Abundance. Sambac does not
like heavy, constantly wet soil.
Water: Water thoroughly, then allow the top layer to dry
slightly before watering
again. Reduce watering during cooler months.
Pruning: Light trimming after a bloom cycle encourages
branching. More branches mean more flower buds.
Feeding: Sambac is a heavy bloomer, and fragrance takes
energy. During active growth, feed regularly with a balanced fertilizer that
supports flowering such as Green Magic (controlled release every 6 months) or liquid Sunshine
Boosters Pikake (formulated especially for fragrant flowers) - with
every watering. I prefer formulas slightly higher in potassium to encourage
stronger bud formation and richer bloom cycles. Consistent feeding during
warm months makes
a visible difference in both flower count and intensity of scent.
With proper care, Jasmine Sambac will reward you not just with flowers,
but with perfume that changes the atmosphere of your entire garden.
Jasmine Sambac Maid of
Orleans flowering indoors in a container under bright light.
❓Frequently Asked Questions About Jasmine Sambac
Does Jasmine Sambac need full sun?
It flowers best in full sun. In very hot climates, light afternoon shade
is acceptable. Indoors, give it the brightest window possible.
Can I grow it in a pot?
Yes. Sambac performs beautifully in containers. Many gardeners prefer pots
because it is easier to control size and move during cold weather.
How often does it bloom?
With proper light and feeding, it blooms in cycles throughout the warm
season. Consistency in care makes flowering more reliable.
Why is my plant not blooming?
The most common reasons are insufficient light or irregular feeding.
Increase light first, then review your fertilizing routine.
Is it difficult to grow indoors?
Not if you provide strong light and good air circulation. Compact varieties
adapt especially well.
Is it frost tolerant?
No. Jasmine Sambac is tropical. Protect it from temperatures below 40F and
bring it indoors before frost.
🌸 Year of
the Horse Special – Jasmine Bonus
Celebrate 2026 with the fragrance of Jasmine plants. For a limited time,
enjoy special savings when you grow one of
the most wanted perfume plants in cultivation.
Jasmine Sale - 15% Off
Save 15% on all Jasmine plants.
Discount is already applied in the online store - no code needed.
☀️ Summer heat? No problem. These fragrant plants thrive in it - and will make your garden smell like vacation every day.
☀️ Brunfelsia - Lady of the Night - releases its sweet scent after sunset, filling warm evenings with a dreamy, tropical perfume.
☀️ Gardenia - Queen of Scent - classic creamy blooms with a rich, unmistakable fragrance that perfumes the air even in peak summer.
☀️ Jasminum sambac - the most popular and the most fragrant Jasmine for both indoor or outdoor culture. Varieties: Arabian Nights, Belle of India, Mangalore Malli, Grand Duke, Grand Duke Supreme, Gundu Malli, Maid of Orleans, Mali Chat, Mysore Mulli, Little Duke Supreme - Baby Duke.
☀️ Nyctanthes arbor-tristis - Parijat. Small tree or shrub from India with highly perfumed flowers, one of the most desired fragrant plants. Mythology says the plant came to earth with God Krishna, shedding flowers like tears before dawn.
☀️ Plumeria - tropical icon known for its heavenly scent and stunning flowers - blooms all summer and keeps your garden smelling like vacation!
How to Grow Jasmine Sambac Successfully