Thekkada/हाथाजोड़ी/Bhurundi/Hatisand/Nega Danti Live Herbal Plant

The Hatisur plant (commonly known as Indian Turnsole, Heliotropium indicum) is a hardy tropical herb that grows easily in warm climates like India and other parts of Asia. It’s a traditional  plant, often used in Ayurveda, and is also admired for its small, coiled purple or blue flowers that follow the sun — hence the name “turnsole.” 🌿🌞

🌿 Basic Information

• Botanical name: Heliotropium indicum
• Common names: Hatisur, Indian Turnsole, Indian Heliotrope
• Type: Annual or short-lived perennial herb
• Height: 30–60 cm (1–2 feet)
• Native to: Tropical Asia and Africa

🌞 Light

• Prefers full sunlight.
  • It thrives in 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Can tolerate partial shade, but flowering will be less abundant.

☀️ The flowers literally turn toward the sun — they “heliotropize.”

🌡️ Temperature & Climate

• Ideal range: 20–35°C (68–95°F)
• Sensitive to frost — it’s a warm-weather plant.
• Perfect for tropical and subtropical regions.

🌱 Soil

• Well-drained, loamy or sandy soil is best.
• Tolerates poor or slightly alkaline soils, but avoid waterlogging.
• You can mix:
  • 2 parts garden soil
  • 1 part compost or cow dung manure
  • 1 part sand

💧 Watering

• Keep soil moderately moist — do not let it dry out completely.
• Water 2–3 times per week in summer and less during cooler months.
• Avoid overwatering; soggy soil can cause root rot.

Tip: Always check that the top inch of soil is dry before watering again.

🌸 Flowering

• Blooms throughout the warm season (spring to autumn).
• Tiny purple to blue spiral flowers attract bees and butterflies.
• Deadhead (remove faded flowers) to encourage new blooms.

🍃 Fertilizer

• Not a heavy feeder.
• Use organic compost or liquid fertilizer once every 3–4 weeks during the growing season.
• Avoid chemical fertilizers — the plant prefers mild, natural feeding.

✂️ Pruning

• Pinch off the growing tips when young to promote branching.
• Trim back after flowering to maintain shape and encourage fresh growth.

🌼 Propagation

• By seeds (easiest):
  1. Collect mature seeds from dried flower spikes.
  2. Sow in moist soil during spring or early summer.
  3. Keep in a warm, sunny location.
  4. Seeds germinate within 1–2 weeks.
• Can also be propagated from stem cuttings in moist soil.