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.
| View | Characteristic |
| Koleusovidny |
The most common varieties:
|
| Shrubby |
|
| Ertendahl |
Popular varieties:
|
| Dubolistny |
|
| Southern (Scandinavian, Swedish ivy; whorled, coin-shaped) |
|
| Felt (Hadiensis, Indian borage) |
|
| Forster |
|
| Whorled |
|
| Fragrant (fragrant) |
|
| Ernst |
|
Home Care
Caring for plectrant at home does not require much time. The flower is unpretentious.
| Parameters | Spring Summer | Autumn winter |
| Temperature | + 20 ... +22 ° С | +15 ° С |
| Location / Lighting | Bright but diffused light. The southern and western windows are well suited. Location in direct sunlight is harmful to the plant. | |
| Humidity / Spraying | Not demanding on humidity. Spraying is necessary if the pot is next to heating appliances. | |
| Watering | Moderate. 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 leaves | Cause | Remedies |
| 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.
