The aim of this study was to evaluate fresh and dry mass, as well as essential oil yield, in Lippia sidoides cultivated in the north of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with five treatments and four replicates. Treatments consisted of the following harvesting intervals: 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 days after transplanting. Measurements on each harvesting included plant height, stem base diameter, leaf, stem and shoot fresh matter yield, and shoot dry matter yield, besides essential oil content and yield per plant. The highest essential oil content was detected at 180 days, whereas the highest dry matter production was observed at 390 days. Essential oil yield per plant was 2.34±1.15 g and productivity was 124.8 kg ha-1. Thus, harvesting at 180 days is recommended.
essential oil; medicinal plants; growth curve
