Lawsonia inermis aka Henna

Lawsonia inermis is also known as henna. It belongs to Lythraceae, the loosestrife family. This evergreen shrub can grow into a small tree. Kew places its native range in northeast tropical Africa and Arabia. The range runs through southern Pakistan and into India. Henna grows in dry scrub near the coast. It now grows wild in parts of Africa and northern Australia, too. Outside its native range, it grows in thickets by rivers. It also grows on rocky sites in those areas.

Henna grows fast, with many thin branches packed close together. Garden plants can reach about 20 feet [6.1 metres] tall and wide. Useful Tropical Plants records plants reaching 39 feet [12 metres]. The stems and older branches may have spines. Some leaves are oval; others are narrow with pointed tips. They reach about 0.17 feet [0.05 metres] in length. They can be about 0.08 feet [0.025 metres] wide. Henna keeps its leaves all year.

The flowers grow at branch tips in clusters called panicles. Their strong scent is a key reason to grow henna. Most blooms are white, but some plants have dark pink flowers. The plant blooms by season, but the sources give no fixed months. Gardeners use henna in mixed borders and herb gardens. They also grow it in gardens with a Mediterranean style. It makes a hedge and copes well with shearing. Its dense growth gives shape to a garden. The scent of its flowers adds interest, too.

Grow henna in full sun, with rich soil where possible. It accepts many soils, even heavy clay. It also grows in poor soil and rocky ground. It does well where water drains away from the soil. Once well rooted, it can cope with drought. Soil can range from dry to fairly moist. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 10–12 for henna. With the right conditions, it needs little day-to-day care. That source reports no major problems with pests or disease. Softwood cuttings form roots with ease. Seeds need treatment to soften their hard coats.

Henna leaves yield a dye that lasts, in red or yellow tones. People use it to colour cloth, hair, nails, and skin. People have used it for beauty for thousands of years. It also has a role in weddings and other rites. Folk medicine uses henna, which has several active compounds. These include lawsone, tannins, and flavonoids. Useful Tropical Plants warns that some broad claims for healing lack firm support. It lists no known food uses and no known hazards. These statements do not show that henna is safe to eat.