🌳 Chandan Plant – Growing & Care Guide

Chandan, commonly known as Sandalwood, is a highly valuable aromatic tree grown for its fragrant heartwood and essential oil. It is widely cultivated in India for commercial and agroforestry purposes.

Botanical name (Indian Sandalwood): Santalum album

🌱 Growing Instructions

Climate: Thrives in tropical and subtropical climates.

Temperature: Ideal range 12°C–35°C.

Soil: Well-drained red loamy or sandy soil. Tolerates slightly alkaline soil. Avoid waterlogging.

Sunlight: Requires full sunlight for proper growth.

Host Plant Requirement: Semi-parasitic plant – requires suitable host plants (like pigeon pea, neem, etc.) nearby for nutrients.

Planting Distance: 3–4 meters apart.

Watering: Moderate watering during early growth. Mature trees are drought tolerant.

Best Planting Time: July–September (monsoon).

Harvest Time: Heartwood develops in 10–15 years.

🌿 Care Instructions

Fertilizer: Apply organic compost during early years.

Weeding: Keep base clean for better root development.

Protection: Protect young plants from grazing animals.

Pest Control: Monitor for spike disease and borers.

Legal Note: Cultivation and harvesting regulations vary by state in India—check local government rules before planting commercially.

🌿 Uses of Chandan

Heartwood used for carving and handicrafts

Sandalwood oil used in perfumes and cosmetics

Important in religious rituals and Ayurveda

High commercial and export value

Long-term investment plantation crop