About this seed
General Description
White Sandalwood, also known as Safed Chandan, Indian Sandalwood, or Chandan Tree
Latin name: Santalum album
White Sandalwood (Santalum album) is one of the most precious and revered trees in the world, native to the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. Known for its fragrant heartwood and oil, it has been used for over 4,000 years in religious rituals, traditional medicine, and perfumery. The tree holds deep cultural significance in Hinduism and Buddhism, often referred to as “liquid gold” due to its high market value and limited availability.
Plant Characteristics
White Sandalwood is a slow-growing, evergreen tree that reaches heights of 8–12 meters (26–40 feet) under optimal conditions. The bark is grayish-brown with reddish inner wood, and the lance-shaped leaves are smooth and glossy. It is a hemiparasitic species, meaning it partially relies on host plants (such as legumes) to draw nutrients. The heartwood, which contains the fragrant oil, develops after 10–15 years, with commercial harvesting typically occurring around 15–20 years. The mature heartwood is dense, yellow to brown in color, and weighs between 800 to 1,000 kg per cubic meter.
Taste and Benefits
While not cultivated for edible use, the powdered heartwood and essential oil are used for their soothing properties. The aroma is warm, sweet, woody, and long-lasting. Sandalwood oil is renowned for its calming effects on the mind and skin, with anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and astringent qualities.
Cultivation Recommendations
- Germination: Soak seeds in warm water for 24–48 hours to soften the seed coat. Germination may take 20–45 days under warm, humid conditions.
- Soil: Well-drained sandy or loamy soil with neutral to slightly alkaline pH (6.5–7.5). Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged areas.
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade is ideal for vigorous growth.
- Watering: Moderate; avoid overwatering. The tree is drought-tolerant once established.
- Host plants: Essential in early growth. Recommended hosts include pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), or acacia species.
- Spacing: At least 4–5 meters between trees to allow root expansion and proper host interaction.
- Maturity: Commercial harvesting of heartwood and oil extraction begins at 15–20 years for high-quality yield.
Uses and Applications
- Perfumery and cosmetics: Extracted sandalwood oil is a prized base note in high-end perfumes and skin care products.
- Traditional medicine: Used in Ayurvedic and Unani systems for its calming, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Spiritual and ceremonial: The wood is burned as incense and ground into paste for religious offerings, meditation, and cleansing rituals.
- Woodcraft and sculpture: The dense, aromatic heartwood is used in fine carvings and sacred objects.
Packaging
Each packet contains premium-quality, hand-selected White Sandalwood seeds with a high germination potential. Seeds are carefully packed in moisture-proof, labeled pouches to preserve freshness and viability.
Shipping Information
Orders are processed within 1–2 days. Delivery within India and worldwide typically takes 1–2 weeks. International and domestic shipping options are available.
Grow this sacred and precious tree with premium seeds from Deodar Seeds.