Proper care of mint plectrantus at home

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.

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 a 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.

Temperature conditions

If you choose 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 time and desire, then you can prepare the soil for plectrantus yourself. To do this, you just need to buy any type of universal soil, add soil baking powder and some sand to it.

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 spray 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. To constantly maintain the necessary moisture for it, you can place moss, pebbles or wet clay, and when the water evaporates, then add it again.

Also near the plant you can put a container with water, and when it evaporates, favorable conditions for the life of the plant will be created.

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.

How to transplant plectrantus in a new pot

Transplanting should be carried out 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.

To transplant at the bottom of the pot should be a layer of drainage 3-5 cm. For this perfect pebbles, 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

Rooting of shoots is one of the best methods for breeding plectranthus. 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.

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 plectrantus, 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 ...