Plektrantus, or as it is also called - mint, is an evergreen plant that can grow directly or climb along the ground. It also has a pleasant smell, and if you give the plant the right care, its height will reach 40 centimeters. This article will tell you how to care for such an unusual plant at home.
Optimal conditions for growing mint plectrantus in the house
Plectrantus is a capricious plant, and it requires careful care at home. The main thing is to remember that its homeland is a warm, humid and sunny climate of the subtropics.
Did you know? If you grow this plant at home, then you can improve the health of the whole family. Mint has healing properties and helps to cope with serious diseases in adults and children.
Location and lighting
In order to make a good mint, it must be maintained in the eastern or western part of the house. For room mint, scattered and bright lighting is preferable. If you have a balcony or loggia at home, then with the onset of summer you can move it there.
It is important that the plectrantus not be affected by strong drafts. Do not place it near air conditioners, air vents and balcony doors.
Mint for the winter season should be provided with additional lighting. To do this, you will need to purchase fitolampy and fluorescent lamps. The flower should be for 8-10 hours in a lit place.
Important! The southern part of the house for finding there plectrantus is not suitable. It is from this side that the direct rays of the sun can fall on it and cause a number of negative consequences, the worst of which is leaf burn.
Temperature
If you pick the right temperature for room mint, it will grow well and multiply.
In spring and summer, the temperature in the room should be between 22-26 degrees. If the temperature for the plectrantus rises above 26 degrees, then it can begin dropping the lower foliage.
In winter, temperatures can be around 12-14 degrees. And you need to limit the flow of cold air for the plant, it reduces the possibility of rapid growth.
Composition of earth mixture for plectranthus
Requirements for soil at plectrantus are not high. Plant enough for the land to be of good quality and fertility.
If you have the time and desire, you can prepare the soil for plectrantus yourself. To do this, you just need to buy any kind of universal soil, add soil baking powder and some sand to it.
Important! The acidity of the earth must be minimal, otherwise its excess will negatively affect the growth of the plant.
How to care for plectrantus at home
Care is always an important part of the life, growth and development of any plant. A plant grown with care can bloom for a long time and delight you with its appearance, beauty and smell.
Watering and humidity
Despite the fact that room mint loves water, it should be watered only if the top layer of soil has dried up a bit. In summer and spring, the plant should be watered more often due to the dryness of the air. But with the onset of cold weather watering should be reduced by about half.
It is important to monitor the condition of the soil and not let it dry out completely. In the summer, you can additionally spraying the flower. If desired, you can make the plant a warm shower. It is important to ensure that the earth remains in the pot.
For Plectrantus, the humidity of the air must be maximal, and then it can easily exist with heating devices. In order to constantly maintain the necessary moisture for it, you can place moss, pebbles or moist expanded clay in the pan, and when the water evaporates, then add it again.
Also next to the plant you can put a container with water, and when it evaporates, favorable conditions for the life of the plant will be created.
Important! A lot of humidity is good, but make sure that there is no surplus. The bottom of the pot should not touch the water, otherwise it will cause serious harm to the flower.
Top dressing
For top dressing of the soil you must use mineral and organic fertilizers. To achieve the maximum positive effect, it must be done in turn.
Fertilizers should be used no more than twice a month. If you bought liquid fertilizer to feed the soil, it will need to be diluted in a small amount of purified water.
Correct pruning
Mint is prone to rapid growth and branching, so it is important to trim the shoots in time. Pruning of plectrantus should be carried out under the very base of the flower.
Long shoots need to be cut only half, and in the spring to carry out the procedure shortening the shoots for further rapid and strong growth.
If you want the mint to show its best flowering, you will need to pinch its upper part. This will help the mint to acquire new foliage.
Did you know? In Indonesia mint is used as traditional food. It is added to soups, salads, drinks and preservation. It also makes an excellent seasoning for meat dishes.
How to transplant plectrantus in a new pot
Transplanting should be done every year, and the best time for this is spring. Since the roots of the plant grow very quickly, after each transplant, you should choose a larger pot so that the plant does not stop its development.
If the room mint has formed a large number of shoots, they should be cut and planted in a separate vessel.
For transplantation at the bottom of the pot should be a layer of drainage 3-5 cm. For this perfect pebble, expanded clay or crushed brick. New land should be universal, with the addition of baking powder and sand. After completing the procedure, be sure to water the transplanted flower.
Reproduction of plectrantus at home
One of the best methods for breeding plectranthus is rooting shoots. For this you need to prepare a mixture of land or a vessel with water. The shoots are cut so that there are several internodes on them.
After cutting, the stalk is planted in the prepared soil, which consists of peat, leaf soil, sand and humus in a ratio of 1: 2: 1: 1. At the end you need to cover the container with a can or glass.
The first roots will appear within two weeks. When the roots reach a length of 3 centimeters, the cutting can be transplanted into a permanent pot.
Did you know? Mint leaves are also used to treat such diseases: asthma, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, flatulence, insect bites.
Disease and pest resistance: treatment in case of injury
Plectrantus is a resistant plant to diseases and pests, but if you provide it with insufficiently good home conditions, it can develop a spider mite, thrips or scale insects. With the defeat, the foliage suffers first, and after the trunk and the shoots.
If the pests still hit the plectranthus, then it is necessary to prepare a solution based on soap and wash each leaflet with it. After it, insecticidal agents such as Actellic 0.15% and Karbofos can be used.
Mint can not often and a lot of water, otherwise its leaves will dry out and fall off. A shrub plektranntus is considered a molten tree because its smell repels insects.
Mint is a wonderful plant that will bring good luck and well-being to your home, help you get rid of various diseases and will simply delight you with its smell, setting it up on a benign mood ...
