Plectranthus (Plectranthus) is a fast-growing evergreen subtropical plant that was born in South African countries nearby, known to us from childhood from the works of K. Chukovsky, the Limpopo River. It quickly became widespread in Malaysia, India, Japan and Australia.
This unpretentious plant is distinguished by its original two-tone color and all shades of green leaves. In our country, the plectrantus is called the molar tree or room mint, and in Scandinavia this plant is known as Swedish ivy.
Description of the plant
At home, this decorative leafy flower is more convenient to grow in hanging pots or in wicker pots, since its numerous branchy shoots hang down under the weight of dense foliage. Plectrantus is one of the few indoor plants whose leaves look much more attractive than flowers. The leaves, almost identical in shape, differ in a pattern of veins of different shades and a border, a smooth or pubescent surface, and finely toothed edges.
Among the numerous varieties, you can find plectrantus in the form of a small shrub about forty centimeters high with abundant leaf mass and many shoots. The bloom consists of unsightly small-sized inflorescences of violet-blue or white umbrellas, which are recommended to be plucked to maintain a more attractive appearance of the plant. Another significant difference among some plant species is aroma. You can feel it if you rub the sheet with your fingers. In some species it is a herbal aroma, while in others it is mint.
Plectrantus care at home
When purchasing a plectrantus for growing in indoor conditions, you need to take care of creating conditions for it close to its natural subtropical habitation with high humidity and plenty of fresh air, heat and light.
Location and lighting
Bright diffused light is most suitable for the plectrantus. The flower will be able to receive such lighting on the windowsill from the southwestern side of the room. An overabundance (in the form of direct rays of the sun) or a lack of lighting on the plant will have a detrimental effect. The leaf mass will lose its decorative appeal, and in the future, the stems may become completely bare. During short daylight hours, you can use a fluorescent lamp.
Temperature
Although plectrantus is a plant of subtropical origin, it feels favorable at an average temperature of 18 to 25 degrees in summer and 12-16 degrees in winter. At lower temperatures, the flower will begin to shed its foliage en masse.
Air humidity
Plectrantus grows very quickly and spends all its energy on building up the leaf part. That is why the plant needs a lot of moisture during this period. Abundant watering and frequent spraying create a subtropical microclimate for an indoor flower and contribute to intensive development. Spraying is especially necessary on hot days, when the thermometer exceeds 22 degrees.
Watering
The earthen lump should not dry out in the spring-summer period and, conversely, dry out slightly in the cold season, when the plectranthus is in a dormant period. Watering in winter is significantly reduced and becomes minimal in volume. It is enough to water the flower once every 3-4 days.
The soil
The soil mixture for growing plectrantus should not be too dense. It should include: humus and sod land (in two parts), leaf or garden soil (one part), river sand and peat (0.5 parts each).
Top dressing and fertilizers
Fertilizers for plectrantus are applied once a month in spring and summer. It is recommended to use dressings specially designed for indoor flowering plants.
Transfer
It is necessary to transplant plectrantus immediately after purchasing the plant. Without violating the integrity of the earthen coma, the flower is carefully transplanted into a flower container, which is larger in diameter. In the first five years, transplanting is carried out annually, and in subsequent years - less often (as the plant grows). Since the plant is thermophilic, it can be planted in open ground only after the onset of constant warm weather without the threat of night frosts.
Pruning and pinching
Pinching the young tops of the plectrantus is necessary to form a lush bush and emphasize the decorative qualities of a houseplant. And usually only bare and poorly developed shoots are subject to pruning, which are shortened by about fifty percent.
Reproduction of plectrantus
Plectrantus propagates by cuttings and by dividing the bush during transplantation.
The method of propagation by stem cuttings is very simple and fast. Cut cuttings 10 cm long root easily in any conditions - in damp earth or sand, in water. In just 10-15 days, young seedlings can already be planted in individual pots.
Diseases and pests
The main pests of plectrantus - spider mites, aphids, whiteflies and scale insects - appear due to the low level of humidity in the room. You can get rid of them only by spraying with insecticidal preparations, which is carried out in the open air.
Difficulties and problems that arise when growing this subtropical specimen must be addressed in time so that the plant continues to grow and develop. There are the most common ones:
- Yellowing and shedding of foliage, rotting of the root part is usually due to the low air temperature in the room where the flower is grown, as well as due to excess moisture during watering.
- Drooping stems and wilting leaves - due to the regular lack of irrigation water.
- Burnt and discolored leaves - from direct sunlight.
- An excess of irrigation water during irrigation can lead to powdery mildew. Its signs are spotting on the leaves with a gray tint. You can help a diseased plant by spraying with a whey solution consisting of 100 grams of whey and 300 grams of water, and reducing the volume of water when watering the plectrantus.
Useful properties of mint plectrantus
The mint scent of Plectranthus repels moths and protects clothing and wool rugs from this common pest. Essential oils not only freshen the air in the room, but also disinfect it from many pathogenic microbes.
Indonesian chefs add the plant to soft drinks, tea, canned foods, as well as many national dishes (for example, first dishes, meat and fish dishes).
Plectrantus is used in folk medicine
- For disorders of the nervous system and insomnia (in the form of tinctures, decoctions and soothing teas).
- For headaches (in the form of herbal compresses from leaves and decoctions).
- With mosquito bites (crumpled plant leaves are used as a compress).
- With an inflammation of the throat and gums (rinsing with tinctures and decoctions).
- With weeping diathesis (leaves are applied).
- With bedsores and diaper rash (dry powdered leaves are mixed with powder and wounds are treated).
- As part of the complex treatment of enuresis.
- In medicinal baths with herbal decoction or infusion (preparation of the decoction: for 2 liters of boiling water - 1 glass of leaves, leave for one hour, strain before use).
- For asthma, cough, and nasal congestion (as solutions and rinses).
- With flatulence.
Folk omens associated with plectrantus
Many believe that the action of the plectrantus is similar to our "money tree", that is, this houseplant attracts material well-being, wealth and good luck to the family. It can be safely renamed "money bush". In Scandinavian countries, for example, plectrantus lives in almost every dwelling and in every family.
Among the many species of this subtropical indoor plant, there are natural specimens, the owners of which claim that the flower affects bad mood and anxiety. It helps to relax, improve mood, relieve insomnia and unpleasant thoughts. Plectrantus can be called a personal and, importantly, a free psychotherapist.
Types of plectrantus
Shrub Plectranthus (Plectranthus fruticosus) - This species is called the molar tree for its ability to repel moths with its unique aroma of essential oil, which is felt even with a light touch of the plant. It looks like a large bush with heart-shaped leaves of various shades of green, monochromatic in color.
Felt plectrantus (Plectranthus hadiensis var.tomentosus) - grows well both in nature and indoors. Its height in nature is much greater than that of a houseplant. Plectrantus, regardless of the growing method, prefers bright lighting. Distinctive features of this species are drooping shoots with pubescent leaves, which smell pleasantly of mint, and a small plant growth.
Plectranthus oertendahlii - is considered one of the most beautiful species. Its unusual color leaves with carved edges and camphor aroma make the plant a favorite among other indoor varieties. On the one hand, they have a rich green hue, and on the other, they are purplish pink. The entire surface of the leaves is velvety with thin veins of a light shade.
Plectranthus coleoides - differs among other species in the largest leaves with a cream or white border along the edge and erect stems.
What is the name of this flower? Why it stopped growing, the tips of the leaves dry up.