Plectranthus flower omens. Room mint. How to grow? Diseases and pests of plectranthus; features of treatment and care of indoor flower during this period

Plectranthus fragrant (spur flower, indoor mint) is a perennial herbaceous plant from the Lamiaceae family.

Came to Russia from South Africa, also common in Australia.

Fragrant plectranthus: chemical composition

Among the components of the plant, glycosides, proteins, carbohydrates and even alkaloids can be distinguished. As a result of chemical testing, flavonoids, quinine, phenol compounds, tannins and terpenoids, as well as thymol, eugenol, pinene, cineole and ursolic acid were identified.

Medicinal properties of plectranthus

The plant is able to have a diaphoretic and choleretic effect, as well as to act as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug, has a moderate laxative, expectorant and appetite-stimulating effect, reduces heartburn and constipation, and alleviates gastritis and rheumatism.

It is used as a raw material during the manufacture of cardiovascular drugs, ointments, drops.

Did you know?In enclosed spaces, plectranthus is able to cope with insects - flies, mosquitoes, moths. One of its Russian names is mukhogon.

How is fragrant plectranthus used in folk medicine

Plectrantus has proven itself in folk medicine. Colds are cured with plectranthus leaf tea, used for fevers, disrupted gastrointestinal tract, it relieves irritable bowel syndrome.

Important!One of the main qualities of plectranthus is a strong sedative effect, so it has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.

People suffering from chronic nervous tension, anxiety, insomnia, plectranthus tea will also be useful.

It has an expectorant effect, eliminates mucus and phlegm from the lungs, will have a good effect on bronchitis, persistent cough, bronchial asthma.

A diuretic and choleretic effect was found, help in the treatment of bladder and kidney stones, a hepatoprotective effect was noted.

The most popular decoction of plectranthus for diarrhea and helminthiasis. Joint pain (rheumatoid arthritis) can be relieved by a tincture of plectranthus.

As an external application, plectranthus has established itself as coping with skin ulcers, allergic childhood diathesis, skin eczema, and diaper rash.

Having suffered from an insect bite, do not be afraid - plectranthus fights itching, relieves irritation and eliminates swelling.

Important!In India, this plant is cultivated, used against malarial fever, they stimulate lactation after childbirth, and even treat dandruff with an infusion of its leaves.

Fragrant baths with plectranthus infusion for enuresis

Enuresis is a serious disease of the genitourinary system that requires complex treatment. Taking a bath with an infusion of fragrant plectranthus will have a good effect on enuresis.

Preparing a bath is easy: 1 glass of fresh or dry crushed leaves of the plant pour 500 ml of boiled water, leave for 45 minutes, strain.

Pour the resulting infusion into a bath of water. Take a bath in this infusion for about half an hour in the evening before going to bed.

However, the shelf life of the infusion is less than a day, which means that every laziness is required to prepare a new infusion. During the procedure, the temperature in the bath should not exceed 30 °C.

Procurement of raw materials from plectranthus

The raw material for harvesting is called the tops of fragrant plectranthus covered with leaves. Medicinal raw materials of plectranthus are harvested before and during the active phase of flowering, it is then that the saturation of the plant with useful substances is highest.

Harvesting is necessary on fine, dry days, when the leaves are protected from moisture. The tops are cut with scissors and dried in the shade, since exposure to the sun is detrimental to the substances in the leaves and promotes the release of essential oils.

However, you can not dry plectrantus in dryers, ovens, stoves - plectrantus will lose all vitamins and minerals. If the plant is dried properly, it retains a very noticeable aroma.

How to use plectranthus in cooking

In different countries of the world, fragrant plectranthus is used in cooking - it is a popular addition to various dishes. In Indonesia, it is used as a seasoning for soups and salads, in Thailand and Cuba it is added to tea, in Russia it is used to preserve vegetables, and also as a spice for meat and poultry dishes.

Plectranthus will eliminate a rather sharp specific smell from lamb meat and fish. A delicious exotic dish is prepared in Jamaica - the leaves are baked in french fries. In France, famous for its winemaking, it is used in the production of liqueurs, syrups, and wines.

In Italy, pizzas are decorated with plectranthus leaves, added to first courses and desserts. All this is possible thanks to the exquisite aroma, delicate aftertaste and bright color.

Did you know?Spanish or French thyme, Cuban oregano, soup mint, Indian borage, Mexican mint are varieties of plectranthus.

Few people have never encountered mint, which can be seen everywhere. Due to the prevalence of this plant, most of the inhabitants are sure that it grows by itself in its natural habitat. This misconception is refuted by indoor mint, which has several species successfully grown at home. An unpretentious culture will delight in appearance and benefit from quality care. Knowing the characteristics of the varieties, you can get the most out of them.

General information about culture

The Mint genus includes about 250 representatives - evergreen herbaceous plants. The second name of the culture is Plectranthus, which is translated from Greek as “flower spur”, which is at the base of the corolla. This genus belongs to the Lamiaceae family. The homeland of the plant is the tropics and subtropics of Africa, Asia, and Australia. Plectranthus belongs to ornamental plants, it can be a shrub 40 cm high or a semi-shrub. Mint is grown in the garden or in pots from which the plants hang. Even an inexperienced grower can handle breeding.

Homemade mint has voluminous foliage, thin shoots, on which oval matte and smooth leaves 5 to 10 cm long with a clearly traced structure are located. There are small notches along the edges. Indoor mint has miniature flowers with 5 petals of pale color, their arrangement is whorled in 8-10 pieces. Inflorescences in the form of an umbrella or brush. Some gardeners remove the flowers so as not to disturb the decorativeness of the plant. Ornamental mint blooms in summer. 4 nuts ripen inside the fruit.

Many signs of money are associated with plectranthus or room mint, so many seek to acquire a plant in order to get rich.

The benefits of room mint

Indoor mint can rightly be attributed to medicinal plants - it has many useful properties, which makes it related to Melissa - lemon mint. The leaves of almost all varieties emit a characteristic strong odor, due to the production of essential oils by the glands of the plant, the evaporation of which has a beneficial effect on the body.

All types of potted mint are endowed with a number of useful properties:

• improve digestion;
• calm the nerves;
• promote free breathing;
• get rid of childhood enuresis if you take baths with mint leaves;
• eliminate problems in the gynecological field;
• relieve itching from insect bites;
• decoction is used for colds;
• mint juice combined with pomegranate helps to get rid of nausea.

In the treatment of ailments, the astringent properties of the plant are used. Homemade mint is invaluable in disinfecting the air, destroying harmful insects, including moths. One of the species was even nicknamed the mole tree.

A decoction is made from mint leaves, which is drunk during the cold season. In the heat, mint mojito is perfectly refreshing, mint candies are also known to everyone. Leaves can be added to a mug with black or green tea, used as a seasoning for meat and fish dishes.

Mint tea is a delicious and very healthy drink.

Types of plectranthus

Varieties of plectranthus are varied and numerous. Ertendal's Plectranthus is said to be the most famous species. Also, many gardeners can boast of having a Molar tree in their apartments, which belongs to shrubs. Other varieties - Plectranthus southern, Plectranthus ampel silver, Plectranthus coleus and caudex, Plectrantus amboin variegated, Plectrantus oaky fragrant, Plectranthus Ernst and Forster, Hadiensis or felt, Tomentosa, Mona Lavender (Lavender). Each species should be described separately.

Ertendal

Plectranthus Ertendal is a semi-shrub, considered to be the most common variety of room mint.

This is due to its external attractiveness: one side of the leaves is green, the other is purple. The leaves are velvety to the touch, prone to active growth. In the natural environment of Africa, its shoots spread even more, reaching 40 cm. At home, the shoots should be pinched regularly. Indoors, the average size of petiolate rounded leaves is 5 cm. The shade of the leaves is dark green interspersed with light stripes and reddish spots. The flowers are collected in inflorescences-brushes measuring 1.5 by 30 cm. Flowering occurs in the second half of summer and September. The smell of Plectranthus Ertendal is associated with camphor for many.

In many apartments, Plectrantus shrub grows, the second name of which is the Molar tree. It is planted to fight moths, which do not like the strong smell of essential oil. It is useful for headaches, sleep disorders, and is released at the slightest touch to the shoots. It grows naturally in Africa. The height of a houseplant can reach 1 m. The serrated oval leaves of a shrub plectrantus up to 5 cm long are slightly pubescent. Blue flowers grow in rings throughout the spring. The plant needs timely pruning.

The mole tree needs regular and timely pruning.

Southern

This variety is intended to be excluded for interior decoration due to underdeveloped stems. Some flower growers compare this mint with ivy, although there is no external resemblance. A feature of this species is the absence of any smell from the plant. Shoots can grow up to 1 m. Round leaves shine brightly especially in sunlight.

Ampel silver

The ampelous Plectranthus was also called silver because of the characteristic color of the serrated leaves. This shrub emits a strong fragrance that repels harmful insects. In order for the flowers to look attractive, you have to work hard. The houseplant is unpretentious, it will easily survive the temporary lack of care.

wheel-shaped

It is also a fairly common variety of homemade mint, which differs from the rest in large leaves, the average length of which is at least 6 cm. A border runs along their edge, giving them a decorative focus, white spots may be present. In height, the coleus-shaped shrub grows up to 1 m, the shoots are tetrahedral. The aroma emanating from the leaves is very strong.

caudex

An unusual species, a feature of which is the caudex - the thick lower part of the trunk. Due to this feature, many gardeners consider the plant as an analogue of bonsai. The average height is 0.5 m, it grows naturally in India.

Oakleaf fragrant

This variety has a double name: thick leaves are very similar to oak leaves. They have a strong menthol smell. Plectranthus fragrant can have colorful leaves with amazing patterns. Blue flowers are located on large inflorescences.

Ernst

It has a caudex with a diameter of up to 10 cm. Medium leaves are located on white shoots, shaped like a heart. They are green on one side and purple on the other. The plant blooms in summer. Leaves fall off during dormancy. This is one of the most unpretentious varieties of room mint.

Hadiensis or Plectrantus felt

A small shrub has rather large fleshy leaves about 10 cm long. You can often see villi on them - hence the name. Some subspecies have multi-colored leaves. The homeland of the plant is India, where it is widely used for food. At home, Felt Plectranthus needs good lighting.

The flowering period is in winter. The plant is native to South Africa. On the stems are leaves of a rich green color with cloves. In order for flowering to be plentiful, it is necessary to constantly pinch the plant.

Mona Lavender - the most beautiful variety of room mint

Growing mint at home

Potted mint is a relatively easy plant to grow and care for. For breeding, the method of propagation by cuttings is used. There is another method of reproduction by dividing the bush, but it is not so popular. For successful propagation by cuttings in the spring, it is necessary to cut the shoots to half and place them in water. After the appearance of roots in a couple of weeks, they need to be seated in separate containers. The land must be fertile. Sometimes several seedlings are placed in one pot. They should ensure regular watering so that the propagation of plectranthus by cuttings is successful.

Room mint care

It is necessary to care for homemade mint in the same way as for its counterpart in nature. She needs plenty of sun. But it is best to put the pot not on the south side, but on the east or west, so that there is a slight blackout. Too much light can cause the plant to wilt. In winter, artificial lighting is needed. Fresh air should always reach mint, in summer the pot can be safely put on the balcony.

One of the important components of caring for plectranthus at home is watering. During flowering, a large amount of water is needed. The need for it is felt by the dryness of the soil. Moisture on the surface of the flower evaporates quickly, so additional spraying will not interfere. Drafts should be avoided. You need to know that mint grows quickly, because of this you need to change pots often, transplanting should be done no more than 1 time in 3 years. Ideal soil composition:

• humus;
• peat;
• leaf land;
• sand.

Room mint does not need constant fertilizer. You can alternately apply organic and inorganic fertilizers from time to time. When caring for plectranthus at home, you need to know that the roots of the plant can rot, the leaves change color. Powdery mildew is also likely. Preventive treatment with insecticides will not hurt.

A natural air freshener and a beautiful ornamental plant "in one bottle" - indoor mint plectranthus. The useful properties of this semi-shrub are multifaceted - it is not only beautiful, but also repels moths, you can also brew fragrant tea with it. Having mastered the simple rules for cultivating plectranthus, you can grow it yourself at home.

Botanical description of the plant

The birthplace of homemade mint is the coast of the African Limpopo River, known since childhood about the works of Korney Chukovsky. It was there that the plectrantus plant was found for the first time and quickly spread first in India and the Pacific Islands up to Japan, and then conquered the rest of the continents. In the countries of northern Europe, it even got the name Swedish ivy, and in Russia, many people know it as a mole tree.

All plectranthus are evergreens, but depending on the species they are grass, semi-shrub or shrub. The tetrahedral stem, like the surface of the leaves, can be smooth or covered with many small, delicate villi.

The fastening of leaves to branches is cruciform. The same feature of different types of homemade mint is the jagged edges of the leaves, but the shape is oval, heart-shaped or round (once it reminded contemporaries of a spur, therefore the plant is also called a spur flower). Colors - from different tones of green to two colors with white or beige.

Plectranthus blooms with small flowers of white, lilac or pink shades. Cups in the form of bells are united in racemes or umbrella inflorescences.

All types of plectranthus emit a minty smell of varying intensity when touched. The most common of them are wheel-shaped, shrubby, Ertendal and hadiensis.

Beneficial features

Plectranthus is grown for its "multifunctional" foliage. Its useful properties are diverse, for which the plant is especially appreciated by housewives.

In cooking, homemade mint is widely used in many countries of South and East Asia. In Indonesia, it is an ingredient in salads and an aromatic condiment for meat dishes. We have popular drinks with mint - teas, lemonades. Fragrant leaves are a necessary component of the preparation of marinades in canning.

In the household, the mint or camphor aroma of different types of mole tree, respectively, repels moths well from closets with clothes and natural carpets. Essential oils refresh and even disinfect the air in any room.

Homemade mint also has a wide range of medicinal properties:

• as a soothing tea - for insomnia, nervous fatigue;
• as a mild hypotonic agent (not all types of plectranthus);
• with a headache - as vegetable compresses from crushed foliage;
• with itching from insect bites (applications from crumpled leaves);
• with inflammatory processes in the oral cavity - rinses, decoctions;
• in the treatment of childhood enuresis - as a component of complex therapy;
• in therapeutic baths - with the addition of an infusion of a glass of leaves brewed in 2 liters of water;
• with congestion of the nasal cavity and coughing - in the form of rinsing, rinsing;
• with flatulence, heartburn, infusions with some of the types of room mint are used inside. Important: they help to cope with nausea in the first months of pregnancy.

In cosmetology, peppermint essential oil is a remedy for healing split ends. And to enhance their growth, mint shampooing is done.

To prepare the infusion, 300 g of leaves are brewed in a liter of boiling water, insisted for 20-30 minutes. The decoction is well moistened with clean, dry hair and, without rinsing with plain water, dried with a towel.

But no matter how great the benefits of using plectranthus, it can be harmful to use it excessively, especially for people prone to drops in blood pressure. Mint drinks are not recommended for children under 5 years of age. The main contraindication is individual intolerance, which can lead to an outbreak of an allergic reaction.

Necessary conditions for growing

Despite the fact that the birthplace of the plant is the subtropics, and therefore the best conditions for its development are a lot of heat, light and high humidity, it takes root perfectly in countries with a cold climate. In summer, a temperature of 16-25 ° C is sufficient for it, in winter - not lower than 14-16 ° C. As noted above, plectranthus is especially popular in Scandinavia, where it is grown in most households. Fragrant bushes are unpretentious, taking care of them does not require much effort and time. For creating optimal conditions, the plant will thank with rapid growth, but it will patiently endure hard times.

Location and lighting

The best location for a mole tree is a window sill on the southwest side of the house. Here, the amount of diffused light will be sufficient for him, and the flower does not like direct sunlight - it reacts with yellowing and falling leaves.

In winter, the ideal option is to extend the daylight hours with a regular or special plant lamp.

Air humidity

Indoor mint loves warm and humid air. In the summer, when the growth of an ampelous flower is most intense, it needs to replenish its moisture reserves not only from irrigation: if the temperature in the room with mint is 22 ° C and above, spraying with settled water without chlorine should be done once a day.

It is good if it is possible to place the plant next to an aquarium or other container of water.

Soil Requirements

The best way for growing plectranthus is land consisting of humus, soddy and leafy soil, taken one by one, with the addition of river sand, peat, half a part of each.

Mint develops well on loose soils, in which air easily enters the roots. The addition of perlite will help to adjust the soil moisture and make it more airy.

Features of care

The complex of measures for the care of plectranthus includes watering, fertilizing, observing the temperature regime, plant formation - pinching, pruning, health monitoring, prevention and treatment of diseases. Even novice flower growers will be able to take care of him to a sufficient extent.

Need for watering

The principle of watering is the observance of a sense of proportion: the earth must be moistened, but not flooded. In summer, water daily, in winter - once every few days. With prolonged overdrying of the soil, plectranthus buds fall, with frequent overflows, there is a risk of root rotting.

top dressing

Any purchased fertilizers for flowering indoor or decorative foliage plants in spring and summer are applied monthly.

You can simply alternate the addition of any organic matter with a complex mineral supplement.

Trimming and pinching

To grow a beautiful and lush plectranthus of any kind, every spring you need to carry out a careful pruning, carefully examining the shoots and removing the weak and bare ones by half the length. After they grow back, pinch the tops a little - the mint will be bushy and healthy.

Pests and diseases

Enemies of plectranthus bushes are scale insects, aphids, and if the air is too dry, spider mites. Having found pests on a plant, it should be taken out into the open air and treated with appropriate insecticides. Washing with a solution of laundry soap is also effective, but only if the problem is noticed at the very beginning.

Mint plectrantus has a fairly strong immunity to diseases, so the causes of a painful appearance should be sought primarily in violation of the rules of care:

• excessive watering, especially at cool temperatures, causes rotting of the root system, the fall of yellowed foliage, as well as the appearance of grayish spots of downy mildew. As a treatment, treatment with a serum solution (a quarter liter of serum and 2/3 liters of water) or any purchased fungicide preparation for flowers is suitable;
• insufficient watering causes lethargy and drooping of the stems. After one-time situations, mint will recover, but if you forget to water the bushes constantly, they will die;
• leaf color fading usually occurs in direct sunlight - it is necessary to shade the plants.

Reproduction methods

Homemade mint propagates easily and simply:

• rooting stem cuttings, which are cut into a length of about 10 cm and placed in water or any moist substrate. The roots grow quickly, after a couple of weeks the seedlings can be planted in a permanent place of growth. During spring pruning, a lot of material is usually formed for propagation by apical cuttings;
• when transplanted by dividing the bush. In the first 3-5 years, young plectranthus are transplanted once a year, adult bushes - as needed. The root system of homemade mint is quite powerful, so you need to take roomy containers for seating.

Homemade mint can be grown from seed. This method is longer in time and requires compliance with the temperature regime. Seeds for seedlings are purchased in specialized stores.

In April-May, they are laid out on a moistened substrate, slightly pressing, but not sprinkling the soil on top. Germination requires a temperature of 20-24°C. After a week, moderate but constant watering begins, and after a month, the sprouts are planted in separate pots.

Possible difficulties in growing

Compliance with the rules for growing plectranthus practically guarantees its healthy and lush growth. If the mint is in unfavorable conditions for a long time, it suffers:

• in direct sunlight, the foliage burns out and fades;
• a long stay in the cold (at temperatures below 12-16 ° C) with excessive moisture leads to yellowing and shedding of foliage;
• the attack of pests also causes a sluggish and painful appearance of the bushes;
• in the cold season, when water stagnates, there is a risk of root rot;
• in summer, in the heat, even with regular watering, when the leaf cover droops, daily spraying of the green mass is necessary;
• lack of light at insufficiently high temperatures can also cause foliage loss, and flowering simply does not occur.

Not every plant can "boast" of decorativeness, health benefits, use in everyday life and at the same time - unpretentiousness in care. This is exactly the mint plectranthus, which will thank you for your attention with a stormy “waterfall” of beautiful greenery.

Plectranthus (spur flower, king moth) Plectranthus - subtropical plant.

Family: Lamiaceae (Lamiaceae).

Homeland: Tropics, near Limpopo. Distribution zone - India, Australia, Japan, Malaysia. Plectranthus is also called mint, otherwise the mole tree. In Scandinavia, this plant has another name - Swedish ivy.

As it has a lot of advantages, which makes it especially popular among amateur flower growers: fast growing, easy to propagate, easy to care for, with attractive leaves. With its help, beautiful flower arrangements are created that create comfort and peace, and contemplation of the buds pleases the eye.

When decorating the interior, they are used as an element of the winter garden. Branched shoots hang beautifully from wall planters.

Plectranthus is one of the plants whose leaves are much more attractive than flowers - shiny, decorated with a pattern of veins, with a border, sometimes the surface of the leaf is slightly pubescent, bordering on the edge of small teeth. Sometimes they are crumpled, textured, they grow crosswise, in pairs.

Flowers are of no value, small in size, lilac, white, purple hues. Consist of 5 petals fused together at the base. Arranged in whorls, inflorescences, 6-10 pieces in each - umbellate or racemose.

This photo shows a flower of indoor plectranthus:

To make the plant look more attractive, the inflorescences should be cut off. Flowering occurs in the summer. The corolla in the center contains the stamens and the ovary. When the plant is pollinated, fruits are tied, inside of which 4 small nuts ripen. The fruit opens on its own when ripe.

You can see this plant in more detail in the photo below - here is plectrantus in all its glory:

The etymology of the name of the plant comes from the Greek language:"plectron" - "spur" and "anthos" - "flower": swelling of the corolla tube at the base resembles a spur in appearance. The root system does not go deep into the ground, fibrous. The stem is ribbed, glabrous or slightly pubescent in some species, with a skin on top, the color of which is bright green or brown-red.

How to properly care for sha plectranthus (moth tree)

How to properly care for plectranthus when growing at home?

Below are some useful tips for growing a plant. First of all, you need to create conditions as close as possible to natural subtropics, which means high humidity, plenty of fresh air, heat and light in large quantities. Well adapted to new conditions.

Location: bright, even sunny. The light should be soft and diffused - such lighting can be obtained on the windowsills of the southwestern part of the room or the eastern one. If the plant is placed on the south side, it is necessary to provide protection from direct sunlight, otherwise the shoots and leaves will instantly lose their decorative appearance.

The wrong amount of light - too much or not enough - will do harm. When daylight hours are too short, a plant called plectranthus can receive light from a lamp. Can tolerate light shade. In summer, the plant feels great, being on the street, on the balcony, in the garden.

Temperature: Not higher than 20 °C. The optimum temperature for it is 18-25° in summer and 12-16° in winter. Temperatures below these will cause leaf fall.

Air humidity: high only in too warm rooms. Since the flower develops rapidly, it takes a lot of energy to grow leaves, which requires more moisture. This can be achieved by spraying, generous watering. It will be especially useful to carry out such a procedure on days when the temperature is above 22 °.

Watering: the substrate must always be damp. In March-September, watering should be plentiful when the top layer is already dry. In the autumn-winter season - quite moderate. It is necessary to water with settled water, make sure that the temperature is at room temperature.

Plectranthus Care when it is grown in cold seasons, it becomes less intense: the earth in a pot can dry out a little - at this time the plant is immersed in peace. Watering in winter, respectively, becomes more rare and less intense - it will be enough to do this once every 3-4 days.

Substrate: Flower soil. A mixture of soil for mint is not prepared at a very high density: 2 parts - humus, soddy land, 1 part leafy soil (or garden), 0.5 parts each - peat, river sand.

With the fulfillment of these conditions, even for a beginner, caring for a plectranthus in normal household conditions will be a simple matter.

Top dressing: every week during the growth period. In winter, once every 4 weeks. Top dressing in spring and summer twice a month, while alternating fertilizers - either mineral or organic.

Transfer: It is better to grow young plants. When the mint was just purchased, it is better to transplant at the same time. Without disturbing the earthen clod, move the mint into a container with a large diameter. It can be planted in open ground only when the weather has become stable and frosts at night are not expected.

The first 5 years of growth - transplantation should be carried out annually, the rest of the time - depending on the growth of the flower, but much less often. The root system of plants is powerful, therefore high pots are needed, a drainage layer must be placed on the bottom.

Pests, diseases: rarely. Nevertheless, plectranthus, or indoor mint, is easily accessible to pests such as spider mites, aphids, scale insects, and whiteflies. They occur due to insufficient degree of humidity in the air.

Only spraying with various insecticidal preparations will help get rid of these pests. Be sure to do this outdoors.

When growing this subtropical handsome man, it is necessary to solve all problems in a timely manner. These include, for example, the following difficulties:

• yellowing of foliage;
• drooping stems;
• leaf discoloration;
• Excess irrigation water.

The foliage turns yellow and usually falls off due to too low air temperature, or excess moisture. This also leads to the fact that the root system rots.

Wilting leaves and sluggish stems - due to lack of irrigation water, and constant. The leaves become discolored and burn out from direct sunlight.

Excess irrigation water leads to the formation of powdery mildew. It looks like spots of a grayish tint on the surface of the leaves.

You can cure the plant by spraying with a solution: 100 g whey per 300 g water. Also at the same time reduce the amount of water that is watered.

Pruning: If you regularly cut off the tops of the shoots, the plant bushes better.

Propagation of indoor plectranthus by cuttings

Propagation of indoor plectranthus is carried out by stem cuttings about 10 cm long, as well as by dividing the bush during seating. The cuttings root well in water, then they are transplanted into small containers, usually several seedlings together. Rooted - 2-3 weeks. More than one cuttings planted together will help to get a large lush bush.

For example, such as in this photo - here is a plectranthus, aka indoor mint, in its prime:

Propagation by top cuttings. In the spring, the plants are pruned - by 50% of the total length of the shoot. It is worth pinching the top, which contributes to branching, so new young shoots are formed. Weak branches as they appear, year-round.

Properties of houseplant plectranthus

Indoor evergreens called plectranthus, with their minty smell, repel moths indoors, thereby protecting woolen clothes and various products with it. The essential oil from this plant refreshes the room, removes germs that may be contained in it. Phytoncides also calm the nerves and improve sleep.

There are individual instances, the impact of which helps to relieve anxiety, bad mood, and relax. The properties of plectranthus, or homemade mint, are such that it can rightfully be called a family therapist, and practically free of charge.

The plant also helps with some health problems.

When an insect bites, a washed and mashed leaf can be applied to the bite site - it relieves irritation and itching after a bite. Smear the skin with juice - mosquitoes will not annoy you like that. Indoor flowers, called plectranthus, are used as a diuretic and expectorant, against inflammatory processes, and with high efficiency. From very green shoots with buds, you can brew tea, which is used for treatment.

Traditional medicine has also found application for a popular pet. When the throat is inflamed, decoctions or tinctures are used when rinsing. With bedsores, powder from dry crushed leaves, mixed with powder, is applied to the wound. Herbal decoction or infusion is added to the baths.

In Indonesian cuisine, it is mixed into refreshing drinks, preserves, and teas. Local dishes can also be prepared using its leaves - for example, as seasonings. The smell - mint, thyme, oregano - allows you to improvise. Separate varieties are cultivated for their edible leaves or tubers.

Types and varieties of plectranthus: photos, names and descriptions of all varieties

There are many varieties of evergreen plectranthus - over 250 species of completely different plants. When purchasing this plant at home or on the site, you need to know its type, because. agricultural techniques may be different and will not bring the result that was expected.

Varietal differences are so diverse that it is very difficult to list them all.

Several characteristic features of different types of varieties of indoor plectranthus are shown in the photo, and their description is also given:

It is a shrub in shape, sometimes a shrub, grass. A plant with semi-succulent properties - their tissues can store moisture). The cells contain essential oils. The stem is often bare, sometimes covered with hairs, its shape is tetrahedral, stands straight or spreads.

The leaves are arranged crosswise, they smell, the shades differ depending on the variety, the shape is round, oval, oblong, the edges are usually jagged.

In total, the main four types of these ampelous plants are common.

Plectranthus fruticosus(Plectranthus shrubby), called the "lord of the moth", with heart-shaped leaves that spread a very intense camphor smell. This type of plectranthus is also called the mole tree - it is it that helps to drive away this insect, namely with its essential oil contained in the leaves: it stands out at the slightest touch to the shoots.

It is a branched shrub, up to a meter high. The branches are pubescent, the shoots are tetrahedral. The leaves are of even color, various shades, about 5 cm long. The flowers are ring-shaped, with a strong aroma, the color is pale blue. Blooms profusely from February to May, feels great in apartments.

Plectranthus oertendahlii(Plectranthus Erdenthal) has almost round, light green leaves with white edges. It is this type of green plectranthus that is called Swedish ivy. The unusual shape of the leaf, with carved edges, besides the double-sided color of the leaves - a bright green hue and purple-pink - make it a favorite among indoor plants.

The leaf surface is covered with thin veins of light color, to the touch like velvet. Flowers small, collected in clusters. Blooms from mid-summer to late September.

It is worth taking a closer look at the above photo of this plectranthus: of all the varieties, it is considered a favorite.

It is curious that this is the only type of plant that does not emit a fragrance. It is very decorative. More than all other species, it needs constant plucking of shoots - so that bushiness is even higher. In interior decoration it is used as an ampelous one - weak stems give a slight lodging.

The flower of such a plectranthus is a bell, it grows in racemose inflorescences, the length of which reaches 30 cm. The bells are light purple, sometimes white, each of them grows up to 1.5 cm long.

I always dreamed of having mint in my house, but I always thought that it can only be grown in the summer on the balcony or in the garden. Everyone knows medicinal mint - peppermint, growing in gardens and orchards.

But there is also the so-called homemade mint - Plectranthus , which can grow luxuriantly and densely on window sills.

Plectranthus I found on the street. Apparently someone cut the plant and all the unnecessary miscarriages. A few days later, the cuttings took root, and I planted them in a pot. That's how I got plectranthus. It is said that this plant attracts money to the house. So, it turns out a double benefit - and saved the plant, and lured denyushka into the house.

In fact, mint is unpretentious, and for many it grows in garden beds, someone grows it at home on the windowsill, and somewhere it just sprouts like a weed. But all this is medicinal mint, the one from which we drink a decoction for colds. But not everyone knows that there is also indoor mint. Meanwhile, this fragrant plant of the Labiaceae family, also known by its botanical name Plectranthus, is quite popular among amateur flower growers. And if the healing properties of this specimen can be argued, then its ability to replace peppermint as an additive to tea is undeniable. What kind of plant is this, and how easy is it to grow at home? Let's figure it out.

Varieties of Plectranthus or room mint

Like all labiates, plecrantus is valuable for its fragrant leaves. And they smell thanks to special glands in the leaves that secrete essential oils. In indoor floriculture, several varieties of plecrantus are known, and the most popular of them are three:

• Plectrantus shrub or Molar tree is an evergreen shrub reaching one meter in height;
• Southern plectrantus, also known as Swedish or Scandinavian ivy, is a herbaceous plant with lodging shoots reaching a meter in length;
• Plectranthus Ertendal (has no other names) is an evergreen shrub, the crown of which forms clumps.

However, the most common type of homemade mint in indoor floriculture is the Molar tree. This is what they mean when they talk about growing room mint. Yes, and he looks like garden mint more than other brothers.

As already mentioned, the plant is unpretentious. However, for favorable growth and reproduction, it requires certain conditions. Plekrantus shrub (house mint) grows well on fertile substrates and organo-mineral fertilizers. He does not like exclusively mineral top dressing. This plant is photophilous and needs year-round (evergreen after all) bright, but diffused lighting. The leaves of homemade mint are pubescent, like a violet, so it does not tolerate spraying well, and when water gets on the leaves and stems, spots appear on them, which then dry out or rot. But watering this plant requires plentiful in the warm season and moderately plentiful in winter.

In nature, the mole tree grows in a temperate climate, so that when kept indoors, an average temperature of about 20-24 ° C is favorable for it. However, homemade mint also tolerates hot weather, but hypothermia is fatal for it. The minimum temperature that this plant can withstand is 10 degrees Celsius. Homemade mint is undemanding to air humidity, but it does not tolerate proximity to a radiator and dry hot air. So the ideal conditions for this plant would be a warm, bright room, good watering without spraying, and fertilizing with flower fertilizers twice a month.

Care and cultivation

The main care for indoor mint is timely watering, feeding, pinching and transplanting. It is necessary to transplant it once every two to three years, pouring a mixture of soddy soil and garden compost into flower pots. During the period of active growth (and the plant is active almost all year round), indoor mint should be pinched and flower stalks broken out. These measures will make it possible to form a compact and fluffy bush. Lignified shoots that are losing foliage and decorativeness must be cut off. Rejuvenating shaping pruning can be done at the end of winter or in March, and pinching can be done all year round. Mint tolerates pinching and pruning painlessly and responds to it with new numerous shoots.

In the summer, I plant plectranthus in the front garden, where it grows instantly.

Possible problems:

• if the plant experiences a lack of light, then its shoots are strongly stretched and droop, and the leaves turn yellow;
• dry and blacken the edges of the leaves of room mint, if it is not enough to feed or fill it,
• hypothermia is fraught with damage to the roots, young leaves and growth buds,
• homemade mint is quite resistant to pests and diseases, but it is possible that the plant may be damaged by aphids, scale insects, whiteflies or spider mites.

Indoor mint is propagated by cuttings, cutting off the apical shoots or rooting parts of lignified stems. Mint cuttings can be taken throughout the year, and cuttings can be rooted in water or wet sand. Rooting cuttings do not require special conditions, except for a constant temperature of about twenty degrees.

With good care, house mint lives in a flower pot for about five years. But experienced flower growers say that with constant rejuvenation and cuttings, her life is not limited. So this is not only an evergreen house plant, but also almost ever-living.

So if you want to have an unpretentious, fragrant and grateful plant in your home, then homemade mint will be a flower quite suitable for these purposes. In addition, it is believed that she is able to expel moths from the house, and mosquitoes and flies do not tolerate her presence. If you don’t believe me, then place indoor mint in your house and see for yourself. Good luck!

At first, the young plant is actively growing, but it must be pinched to form a kind of compact "crown", especially since the torn leaves go into tea. A more mature plant sheds large leaves (it is better to cut off by yourself), its stem hardens, many smaller leaves appear. In the most "old" plants, you can wait for flowering, but the main value is in the leaves!

Plectranthus is considered not a difficult plant to grow. We can say that its main problem is that it requires regular rejuvenation, due to the fact that it grows quickly. To do this, in the spring, instead of transplanting, cuttings are cut from the plectranthus, and after rooting they are planted all in one pot. To give a bushy and more compact form, the growing ends of the plectranthus shoots need to be pinched.

Leaves, especially those of a young plant that has grown after transplantation, have a special decorative effect and can decorate your interior. At first, the young plant is actively growing, but it must be pinched to form a kind of compact "crown", especially since the torn leaves go into tea. A more mature plant sheds large leaves (it is better to cut off by yourself), its stem hardens, many smaller leaves appear. In the most "old" plants, you can wait for flowering, but the main value is in the leaves!

It is not a medicinal herb like peppermint, but its fleshy, slightly hairy leaves give off the same minty aroma. Herbal tea will always be on the window, all year round! In addition, the leaves, especially those of a young plant that has grown after transplantation, have a special decorative effect and can decorate your interior.

APPLICATION

Medicinal : The leaves have many traditional medicinal uses: to treat coughs, sore throats, asthma (in the form of a decoction and by chewing the leaves) and nasal congestion, to increase lactation in lactating women, against infectious, against rheumatic and flatulence. The crushed leaves are applied to insect bites or as a poultice.

cooking : In Indonesia, Plectranthus amboinicus is a traditional food, used for soups, salads, drinks, tinctures, and canning. It is also used as an aromatic seasoning for various meat and poultry dishes. For lamb and fish as a pungent fragrance. They also make leaves in batter fries.

Other: In the people, the plectranthus shrub is called the moth tree, as its smell repels many insects, such as moths, flies and even mosquitoes.

Whether the mole tree really repels moths, justifying its name, is not entirely clear. Although on the other hand, this plant has been grown on windows for over 150 years, apparently believing in its action. In addition, shrubs were grown at home as a folk remedy against malaria. Now this plant is rarely found in homes, mainly in rural areas.

Its magical feature to favor all financial transactions has been known for a very long time. Even in the Middle Ages, merchants fumigated their counters with mint. It was believed that this helps to attract buyers. At present, it is enough to put a pot with this plant in the office office - and there will be no end to customers, and the air will be filled with a pleasant fresh aroma.

Whether to believe in the magical properties of all these plants or not is everyone's business. Most often, acquiring one or another small sprout, we start from its appearance. Although it has been proven for a very long time that each plant has its own unique energy, which can either negatively affect the feelings and emotions of people, or vice versa, tune in to good luck, cheer up.

I will introduce you to some of the types of mint that I managed to find.

In the first place, of course, peppermint (menthe piperita), the most common and fragrant. Grown by crossing water mint and spearmint.

Apple mint, or fragrant, is also found in our gardens. Differs in graceful more roundish and velvety leaves, but concedes in intensity of aroma.

Lemon mint is a type of peppermint. With a characteristic lemon aroma.

Green mint, or spearmint, is a rather powerful, profusely flowering plant with a strong aroma.

Mint "Iokka" - a little-known variety, has a specific oriental aroma.

Pineapple mint (fragrant) - has two-color very beautiful leaves with a white border. Can decorate any garden bed and flower arrangement.

Thuringian mint is a type of peppermint valued for its high menthol content.

Corsican mint - can be quite used in landscaping, as the plant is only a few centimeters high with very small leaves forms a continuous carpet that blooms with light purple flowers.

Ginger mint (thin) - is also a garden decoration due to the beautiful variegated (yellow-green) color of the leaves.

Curly mint - can also be found in our gardens, it is very similar to spearmint. Has a pleasant aroma.

Bergamot mint - has a complex aroma, it is widely used in perfumery.

English mint is a variety of green mint. Its crushed leaves smell like chewing gum.