Plectranthus (lat. Plectranthus) is a subtropical ornamental plant with a pleasant pine, mint or meadow scent. It belongs to the Juniper family. Native to South Africa. Widely distributed in India, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Japan.

The distinctive feature of the plectranthus is its decorative leaves. They are oval in shape with small denticles along the edges and grow over 8cm in length. When pressed firmly, they emit a subtle pleasant fragrance.

Plectranthus is also called room mint. It is very popular among florists. It grows and propagates well in the home environment. The mint is not capricious, so it brings only joy!

Plectranthus species

The most common varieties of the plant:

1. Bushy (Plectranthus fruticosus) has the appearance of a branchy shrub with pubescent stems. The leaves are up to 12 cm long. Flowers are blue with a purple tint. It has a strong scent that repels moths.
2. Plectranthus hadiensis - reaches heights up to 80 cm in nature. At home it grows compact in size with beautiful ampelike shoots.
3. Plectranthus coleoides - characterized by large leaves with white edges. Grows up to 1 m tall.
4. Ernsta (Plectranthus ernestii) - has a gray thickening at the base of the stems about 10 cm in diameter. The beautiful leaves are purple on the outside and green on the inside. The house flower can grow up to 50 cm tall.
5. Forster (Plectranthus forsteri) is a very undemanding plant. It is characterized by the accelerated growth and abundant colorful flowering. It is used for decoration of balconies and front gardens. Has lush green leaves with white spots. Grows up to 1 m in height.
6. Mona Lavander (Plectranthus Mona Lavander) is the most beautiful variety. Blooms from February to November.

Правильная Transportation

Transporting a flower at low temperatures requires keeping it warm and protected from drafts. Paper and a plastic bag will be needed.

Activities after purchase

After purchase, the flower should be transferred to a larger container. A drainage layer of expanded clay should be poured on the bottom. The soil should be loose and nutritious.

Ground

Fruitful, loose, water-permeable soil is required for the crop to grow successfully. The soil should be slightly acidic, with a pH of 6.2 to 7.2. A universal soil mixture is well suited.

If making it yourself, we recommend taking 2 parts humus, 3 parts sod soil, 2 sand, 100 g bone meal, 20 g superphosphate.

When planting, fill the bottom of the pot one third of its height with a drainage layer (expanded clay, Styrofoam pieces).

Pot

The size of the pot depends on the amount of mint to grow. For one bush, a container with a diameter of 14 cm is good. Up to 5 plants can be grown in a 32 cm pot.

Air temperature

The best temperature for room mint is 13-15C in winter and 17-24C in summer. In heat or cold, the plant sheds its leaves and dies.

Lighting and location

The crop likes diffused light. Direct sunlight is contraindicated (causes burns and discoloration of the leaves). The duration of the day light - at least 9 hours. This is especially necessary for variegated varieties. For illumination in winter when the daylight hours are short, daylight lamps are recommended. To avoid elongation of the shoots, the plant must not be placed in a dark place.

Plectranthus should be placed on window sills in the southwest or east side of the room, where there is soft, diffused light. If placed on the south side, protection from direct sunlight is necessary.

Watering and spraying

Water the crop frequently during active growth. The soil should be kept moist during this time. In winter, by all means reduce watering: twice a week. Be sure to let the top layer of soil dry out.

Sprinkling should be done only in hot weather to prevent the flower from drying out.

Trimming

Before the plant starts to grow strongly, the crown should be gently pruned. This will allow the side shoots to grow out.

The pruning tool must be cleaned with alcohol before pruning as the stem may be damaged (rotting).

Injured and weak branches should be removed first. It is advisable to cut them back to 2/3 of their length. Do not worry as the cuttings will quickly produce buds and growth.

Ampelent plants should be pruned slightly to enhance growth.

Bulbar species can be quickly raised up into a ball. In this case the lower leaves should be cut off and the upper shoots only plucked.

To prevent rotting, it is best to cover the cut areas with charcoal powder, which has drying and antiseptic properties.

Propagation

There are three methods of propagation: cuttings, division and seeds.

Pickling

A very simple way to propagate room mint. When cuttings are made, it is enough to cut a strong healthy shoot about 8 cm long. After removing the lower leaves, put it in a glass jar with water. It is not necessary to expose the cuttings to bright sunlight, it is better to put it in a shaded corner.

After the appearance of roots (after three weeks), the plant is planted in a small pot with soil and watered abundantly. The usual care is provided.

Dental mint of different species can be propagated in another way. In this case, immediately plant the cuttings in the soil in a pot and cover the plant with a glass jar. After a while, new small leaves will appear, which will indicate the emergence of roots.

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Деление bush

This method is convenient when transplanting. To do this, remove the flower from the container. Carefully remove the roots from the soil and carefully separate into several bushes.

Transplants must be potted and provided with proper growing conditions.

Seed multiplication

This is the most difficult method of breeding Plectranthus. To get seeds, you have to pollinate the flowers and wait for the fruit to appear in which they will be found. This method is only possible for experienced flower growers. If you wish, ready-made seeds can be bought in the store.

Propagation

Because of the rapid growth, the culture should be transplanted annually. The container should be 3cm larger than the root ball. It is important to inspect the root part for disease, pests and damage.

Four years later, the plant should be transplanted once every two years. Replanting is best done in the spring before the beginning of vigorous growth.

Diseases and pests

Frequently the room mint suffers from all kinds of pests: the scale, aphid, whitefly, spider mite.

The scale

This pest multiplies quickly by laying eggs on the crop. The plant becomes sticky. Oxygen supply is cut off. If treatment is not begun, a disease will appear: sooty fungus. The flower dies.

How to fight - Use trichodermin and gaupsin. Применять по инструкции.

Тля

Самый распространённый вредитель. It multiplies very quickly and can cover the entire plant. The stem becomes crooked, leaves curl, and growth stops.

How to fight - Spraying with a weak solution of carbophos (0.3-0.4%). Tinctures on onions, spruce needles, and bitter pepper can be applied. The product Intavir is best applied according to the instructions.

Whiteflies

Whiteflies (small insects) settle on the underside of leaves. It is caused by high humidity and a high temperature.

How to fight it - lower the temperature, place the plant in a cool place, spray with carbofos.

The Spider Mite

A very dangerous pest that is very difficult to spot. Only under a magnifying glass when looking closely at the corners of the leaves can spiders be found.

How to fight - Soap solution and chamomile decoction can be used at the beginning of the disease. But thiophos is best applied.

Muddew

Sometimes the leaves of the plant become covered with spots and take on a grey hue. This is a very dangerous disease called powdery mildew. Causes exhaustion, rotting and death of the plant.

Causes of powdery mildew:

• Inadequate or excessive watering.
• Drops of moisture on the flower leaves due to heavy spraying.
• Excess nitrogen and lack of potassium in the soil.
• High indoor humidity (above 70%)and high air temperature (above 26C).

Mild powdery mildew control agents: folk, chemical.

Native:

1. Soil with ashes. 120 g of wood ashes,60 g of shavings of laundry soap in 1.5 liters of water. Keep for three days. Water the flower for 5-6 days.
2. Soap with copper sulfate. Dissolve 70 g of laundry soap, 10 g of copper sulfate in 6 liters of warm water. Spray every other day until the disease completely disappears.

Chemical:

• Fundazole;
• Vitaros;
• Topaz.

Apply as directed.

Другие проблемы

1. Листья желтеют и опадают, корни загнивают. This is the result of frequent watering and a low room temperature.
2. Leaves discolour and lose their attractiveness. This happens when the flower is exposed to bright sunlight.
3. Wilting of the stems is due to insufficient watering.

Подкормка

Большая подкормка растению не требуется. Just two applications of fertilizer are enough during the summer. Dilute 1g of urea in 1 liter of water. You can apply a complex mineral fertilizer for house flowers. Do not fertilise during the colder periods.

Growth periods (resting, flowering)

Plectranthus does not need a resting period in nature. But rest can be created on its own. To do this in winter, you must reduce watering and give up feeding.

Flowering usually occurs in summer. At this time small inflorescences in the form of spikelets appear. Since the flowers take a lot of energy from the culture, it is recommended to cut them off.

Video on growing and caring for plectranthus at home

A brief description of the plant and its species. Methods of propagation and maintenance of plectranthus. Join in the viewing!

House mint is an amazing evergreen, pleasant-smelling plant. It is undemanding and requires little care. Under home conditions, it adapts well, multiplies and grows quickly. And if the necessary minimum conditions are created, this beautiful lush plant can be admired for many years!