Growing Catha edulis

Ghat, Khat, Qat

Natural Growing Conditions
Khat is a large, slow growing, evergreen shrub, reaching a height of between 1 and 5 metres, in
equatorial regions it may reach a height of 10 metres. It is native to East Africa and Arabia, but is
now cultivated in many countries throughout Africa. It grows in arid environments, and once
established thrives in full sun at a temperature range of 5-35C. It will not usually tolerate frosts,
and overwatering will cause it to drop leaves and die. In certain areas it is often grown with coffee
plants and in irrigated terraces.
Growing from Seed
It has been said that Khat is a difficult plant to grow from seed, but I have not experienced any
problems germinating this species. Seeds should be planted in either, horticultural sand, cactus
compost, vermiculite, or any mix of these three media. It is important that the choice of growing
media is very free draining, as Khat seedlings are prone to damping off fungus, which will quickly
kill small seedlings. Plant the seeds about 5mm deep in pots or seed pans, mist the surface until
slightly moist, and place in a warm bright place, out of direct sunlight. Mist the surface whenever
the soil dries completely. In Summer this may be every day, in Spring it could be every 3 to 5
days. Alternatively, you can water them a bit more thoroughly, and apply Cheshunt Compound
with every watering to prevent mould. With both methods, the seeds will probably germinate
within a week, if not they may need more/less water, or warmer conditions, or maybe they might
just need more time. Once the seeds have germinated avoid direct sunlight. Turn the pots
regularly as the seedlings will grow towards the light. Once the seedlings are a 5-10cm tall, they
can be transplanted into individual pots.
Potting / Re-potting
I use an equal mix of general purpose house-plant compost and perlite as my potting mix. Perlite
provides excellent drainage whilst retaining enough moisture to keep the plant happy. Also, I put
a 2cm layer of gravel or broken crocks (terracotta pots) in the base of the pot for extra drainage,
and a 1cm layer of cactus top dressing or fish tank gravel on the surface. This helps to prevent
the perlite from floating to the surface, cuts down on excessive evaporation, prevents the soil
compacting when watering from above, and it looks nice too.
Cuttings
Cuttings are fairly straightforeward, although rarely 100% successful. Cut a 5-20cm length from
the tip of the branch. It should be the current years growth, green and pliable, not too woody.
Place the cuttings in pots or seed pans, and treat either as freshly germinated seedlings, or
freshly transplanted seedlings; with one notable exception. They must be kept dry. If they are
kept in a propagator they will not wilt. Water very infrequently. Overwatering will cause mould or
stem rot, both of which will quickly kill the cuttings. Keep the cuttings out of direct sunlight until
after they show signs of new growth. New growth may take several months.
General Care
Often the young plants will be rather top heavy, with slender stems, so they may bend under their
own weight. This can be partly remedied by providing a small cane, or other support. It is
important to keep Khat on the dry side, as overwatering will harm these plants. They will quickly
loose all their leaves if overwatered, cessation of water will usually remedy this problem. Also, as
mentioned above, a free draining soil is essential. Compacted or too rich a soil mix will promote
root rot.
Although these plants like to be on the dry side, when young they do need regular water. On
average, I'd say I water mine about once a week. The progression from slightly wilting to bone dry
leaves is quite rapid with Khat, especially in warm weather. When you see the leaves wilting or
looking slightly crisp and dry the plant will need watering immediately.
Generally Khat makes an excellent house-plant. It prefers full sun, but will grow happily in partial
shade, and it likes warm, dry conditions - something which our centrally heated houses provide in
abundance. It is slow growing, so could be kept for several years as a smallish indoor shrub.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------<dl><dt> Khat cultivation: </dt>
<dd> Try to replicate the conditions of high altitude Ethiopia !
I have had great difficulty growing Khat from seed, however once you have a plant growing it is

easy to take cuttings.

Catha edulis is adapted to a wide range of soil conditions (near Harar, where most of the Khat is
grown, the soil is said to be neutral to slightly acidic despite being high in calcium and low in
nitrogen) - it is suggested that water supply is more important than soil type, particularly in the
early growing period.
Catha edulis does not tolerate poor drainage and will not grow well in wet soils.
It will grow in full sun, partial sun, or even shade.
In Ethiopia Khat is not grown from seed, but is vegetatively propagated from 12" suckers or
branches near the ground level, and sometimes by cuttings taken from branches (although these
do not root so readily).
Plants are set out when the rainy season begins.
The top parts will be cut back by frost but Khat plants will grow back from the roots - unless they
are frozen too. Catha edulis is adapted to a wide range of soil conditions, ranging from light,
sandy to heavy black. Water supply, however, seems to be more important than soil type,
particularly in the early growing period.
The entire area of Alemaya, Combolcha, Harar and the eastern extremity of the Chercher
Highlands is hilly, and erosion is severe, so chat is grown on the hillsides, which are usually
terraced, while lower lands are devoted to sorghum, corn, vegetables and grazing.
Granite is the prevailing parent material, along with limestone and sandstone. The soils are red or
reddish-brown, neutral to slightly acidic, and high in calcium and low in nitrogen. A good response
in plant growth is realised from fertiliser applications. Nitrogen applications increase the
vegetative growth of chat, and thus increase the yield.
Chat can be grown in dry areas provided there is irrigation, but it does not tolerate poor drainage
and does not do well in wet soils.
Sorghum, corn and sweet potatoes are generally intercropped with chat; this is possible as the
chat trees are so spaced that they leave much area between plants. The preparation of the seed
bed for intercropping is in a sense a cultivation of the chat field, so the chat benefits.
</dd></dl>

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