Gossypium herbaceum - Levant cotton

The cotton plant (Gossypium herbaceum) is an annual plant in our temperate climates. It is cultivated for its fluffy capsules and decorative pods filled with white cotton balls. It is a staple in dried bouquets and floral arrangements. A lover of warmth, the cotton plant is easily grown in full sun and well-drained soil. Sow in spring, after the last frosts, either in pots or directly in the ground. Flowering occurs in summer, producing capsules that release cotton fibres by late summer or autumn. Perfect for curious gardeners and enthusiasts of unique crops!

Gossypium herbaceum, or the herbaceous cotton plant, belongs to the Malvaceae family. This species originates from the semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa and Arabia, where it still grows wild as a perennial bush. In its natural state, Gossypium herbaceum is mainly found in southern and eastern Africa, as well as in Arabia. It thrives in well-drained, non-calcareous soils and very sunny exposures. This adaptation to dry environments allows it to flourish in habitats where few other plants can survive. This plant requires warmth, meaning optimal temperatures between 25°C and 35°C for about 150 days. Gossypium herbaceum has a bushy habit, with divided branches. Its growth is rapid, particularly in hot and sunny climates. Grown as an annual, it forms a clump approximately 1 m tall and 50 cm wide. Its palmate and lobed, deep green leaves measure between 5 and 10 cm wide. They fall at the end of the growing cycle if the plant is cultivated as an annual. Flowering generally occurs between June and August in temperate climates. The solitary flowers, in the axil of the leaves, measure 3 to 5 cm in diameter. They resemble hibiscus flowers, pale yellow with a purple centre. Their funnel-shaped corolla consists of five delicate petals surrounding a long protruding pistil. The flowers attract pollinating insects. After flowering, the plant produces ovoid capsules, measuring 2 to 3 cm long, which contain the seeds enveloped in white or slightly yellowish fibres. These capsules turn brown and open naturally when ripe, releasing the cotton. The calyxes, now dry and woody, take on a beige-brown hue. The cotton plant's root system is a taproot, a deep main root that allows the plant to withstand drought. In annual cultivation, root development remains more superficial, especially in pots or compacted soil.

It is possible to grow the cotton plant in a pot to keep it for several years: this allows it to be brought indoors in autumn to protect it from the cold. Place the pot in a bright, frost-free location (greenhouse, conservatory, or indoors near a window). Watering should be reduced in winter, as the plant enters dormancy.

Gossypium herbaceum is one of the oldest domesticated cotton species. Traces of its cultivation have been found in North Africa and the Middle East, dating back several millennia. It is believed to have been used in Egypt and India for textile production long before the introduction of more productive species like Gossypium hirsutum. Beyond textile production, its seeds are used for vegetable oil and animal feed, while its dried calyxes are highly prized in floral art. In gardening, its cultivation attracts the curious and enthusiasts of exotic plants, offering ornamental flowering and educational insight into the history of textiles.