Family: Malvaceae
Scientific name: Gossypium herbaceum
Common name: Levant cotton
Origin: Arabia

Levant cotton is a cotton plant of the Arabian Peninsula which has been cultivated for thousands of years. For the first time in western Sudan, and later in India, Egypt, China and Pakistan. In hot areas, the species grows as a perennial shrub up to 1-2 meters high. The plant can be kept in a colder climate as an annual plant.

Yellow flowers form fruit boxes which burst after ripening, so that the cotton comes out. The cotton surrounds the seeds and is about 5 cm long. Cotton is used for a variety of applications in relation to textiles. The seeds of this species are used in traditional medicine and are mainly eaten by women to reduce menstrual pains.

Provide a sunny spot and give the plants enough water.

Sowing description: Sow seeds in late Spring in sowing mix. Provide a bright spot at 20-25 degC and keep the soil constantly moist.

Sowing time: March - June
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum temperature: 10 degrees Celcius

Photos: H. Zell (CCA-3.0 Wikipedia)