Plectrantus: description, types, home care

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Plectranthus, Swedish ivy, flower garden, house, indoor mint or molar tree are the names of a modest native of South Africa. The genus that is part of the Yasnotkov family is also called, according to various sources, it has from 250 to 320 species: shrubs, shrubs and ampelous.

Description

Plectranthus belongs to those plants that are not bred for flowering, but for beautiful foliage. Ampel plectrantus looks especially good in hanging flower pots.

The plant is characterized by long, flexible shoots and beautiful carved leaves. Compact, grows up to 80 cm. Leaflets with serrated edges are arranged in pairs on a short handle. The shape and size are the same, the color is pale green, in some varieties with a pattern. They smell good with mint thanks to the oils they produce. Its aroma drives away the moth.

It blooms in summer. The flowers are small, collected in whorls. Color from white to different shades of blue.

Plectrantus species and their features

Species and varieties of plectrantus differ not only in appearance, but also in aroma.

ViewCharacteristic
Koleusovidny
  • variegated;
  • large foliage (up to 6 cm);
  • light edge and spots on the leaves;
  • named for its similarity to coleus;
  • pinkish-red fleecy stems.

The most common varieties:

  • Marginatus. Feature: edge and white spots;
  • Green on green. The dark green leaf has a lemon yellow edge.
Shrubby
  • branched bush up to 1 meter high;
  • pubescent branches;
  • blooms profusely from February to May;
  • shriveled leaves, throw out essential oils when touched.
Ertendahl
  • the leaves have a purple-pink color above and below green;
  • velvety with white veins
  • emits camphor odor;
  • constant picking is required;
  • shrub with creeping stems up to 40 cm.

Popular varieties:

  • Limelight. Golden foliage with rare green spots;
  • Uwongo. The center of the sheet is silver, closer to the edge is green.
  • A very popular hybrid is the Mona Lavender variety. Its characteristics:
    • bush with brown straight stems;
    • the reverse side of the leaves is covered with a purple fluff;
    • large purple (1.5 cm) flowers are collected in long inflorescences.
Dubolistny
  • dense fleshy stems;
  • the shape of the leaves is similar to oak;
  • pleasant coniferous aroma;
  • covered with light silver pile.
Southern (Scandinavian, Swedish ivy; whorled, coin-shaped)
  • almost no smell;
  • leaves on long cuttings, covered with a layer of wax;
  • creeping shoots (ampelous appearance).
Felt (Hadiensis, Indian borage)
  • grown both indoors and outdoors;
  • grows to 80 cm;
  • leaves are light green, densely covered with pile;
  • in India they are used as a seasoning.
Forster
  • differs in unpretentiousness and accelerated growth;
  • horizontal growth;
  • shoots up to 1 m in length;
  • embossed green leaves with white spots along the edge, pubescent.
Whorled
  • stems of a crimson color;
  • green leaves covered with white hairs, the reverse side with red veins.
Fragrant (fragrant)
  • branched shrub up to 2 meters in height;
  • has a strong mint smell;
  • used in cooking;
  • has healing properties.
Ernst
  • caudex species;
  • small plant;
  • dense, in diameter up to 10 cm;
  • leaves are velvety, the underside is purplish red;
  • drops foliage during sleep.

Home Care

Caring for plectrant at home does not require much time. The flower is unpretentious.

ParametersSpring SummerAutumn winter
Temperature+ 20 ... +22 ° С+15 ° С
Location / LightingBright but diffused light. The southern and western windows are well suited. Location in direct sunlight is harmful to the plant.
Humidity / SprayingNot demanding on humidity. Spraying is necessary if the pot is next to heating appliances.
WateringModerate. Only when the top layer of the substrate is 1-2 cm dry. The water is necessarily soft, settled, warm.
Fertilizer (mineral and organic alternately).Once every 2 weeks.One feeding per month (if not at rest).

Transplant: choosing a pot, soil

The composition of the soil is important for good growth of plectranthus mint. The soil should be very fertile, low acid. A great option: a mixture in equal parts of the earth, turf, sand and humus. The first three years of life will require an annual transplant. After - if necessary, about once every 3 years.

Transplanted in the spring. The pot is needed spacious, since the rhizome is voluminous and very developed (the diameter of the new container is 2-3 times larger than the previous one). Drainage - one third of the height of the pot.

When transplanting, the soil mixture must not be tamped, it must remain loose. After abundantly pour.

Breeding

Propagated by cuttings. To do this, they are placed in water or soil. It is important that the cuttings have several growth nodules. Part of the leaves on the bottom should be cut.

Roots appear already in the second week. When their length is 3-4 cm, they can be transplanted into separate pots.

Pruning

Plectrantus is characterized by rapid growth of shoots, while they are often exposed. To preserve the decorativeness of the plant, constant pruning is required. This is best done at the time of transplant - in the spring. During this period, the branches are cut to half their length. Throughout the year, the tips of the shoots must be plucked. This contributes to copious branching.

Plectrantus Mistakes, Diseases and Pests

External signs on the leavesCauseRemedies
Yellowing, falling off.Decay of roots due to excess moisture.Reduce watering.
Sluggish, drooping stems.Lack of watering.Increase watering frequency.
Smaller size, color change.Excessive lighting.Shade or rearrange.
Yellowing, falling off with moderate watering.Low temperatures.Rearrange
Twisted.Aphid.Treat with insecticides.
Sticky coating, wilting.Mealybug.
Spider web.Spider mite.
Gray spots.Powdery mildew as a result of excessive watering.Reduce watering, treat with a special drug.

Mr. Summer resident recommends: useful plecrantus

In addition to the pleasant aromatization of the room, the plectrantus has many other useful properties:

  • repels moles;
  • its aroma calms the nervous system;
  • used for medicinal purposes (relieves itching from insect bites, inflammation, has diuretic properties, treats cough, helps with headaches);
  • tea brewed from plectrantus helps with infections and colds;
  • According to popular superstitions, mint solves money problems.

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Watch the video: COLEUS - Dos & Donts. Important Points on Coleus Care and Propagation (November 2024).