Peppermint: useful properties and care

This fragrant plant, probably, is known to many. An unpretentious in the care and fast-growing mint has beautiful spreading branches with foliage of a saturated green color. For gardeners and gardeners this plant is well known, and at times it creates problems for them, because it grows very quickly around the site.

But not everyone knows that this plant can be grown at home. The hero of our article will be plectrant (room mint). Care for him at home should be correct and timely. Only in this case the plant will please you with beauty and aroma.

Peppermint: a description of the plant

Plectratus is a decorative and deciduous plant. Quite often it is grown in hanging flower pots. Thin shoots are densely covered with leaves. Plectratus has many varieties, which in most cases are shrubs, not ampelnymi plants. In height, they reach 40 centimeters. On their leaves are clearly visible different patterns and veins. Unlike beautiful leaves, mint flowers are rather unattractive.

Types of Plectranspiration

In indoor floriculture, certain types of plectrant are very popular.

Coleus

It is distinguished by erect shoots, large leaves, reaching six centimeters in length. This species is named for its similarity to the popular indoor plant - the wheel.

Shrubby

From the previous species is distinguished by the absence of spots on the leaves. It got its name because of its rather impressive size. If you do not make timely pruning, the bush can grow to 60 cm. In addition, this mint has a special property - when touched to shoots, it emits essential oils.

Ertendal Plectrantus

The top part of the leaves of this mint is colored green, and their backside has a pinkish hue. The plant produces a faint aroma of camphor. Thanks to the beautiful form of leaves, this species is by far the most popular for indoor breeding. Indoor mint Ertendal requires regular prishchipki shoots.

Felt plectrum

And this very small bush (not more than 30 cm) has dense and carved leaves. But this happens only in an apartment. In natural conditions, it is much larger.

Peppermint: useful properties

The main benefit of this plant is that it is a wonderful soothing. In a stressful situation, a cup of mint tea will help calm down. Prepare it easily: take your favorite tea (green or black). It is desirable that it be free of impurities and any flavoring additives. To it add a twig or leaves of mint. Pour them with boiling water and let it brew for ten minutes.

In ancient times, healers noticed that the juice of mint and pomegranate, mixed in equal proportions, relieves nausea. Modern scientists have come to the conclusion that this is due to the large amount of astringent and tannic substances in mint. Japanese, Chinese and Arab healers also actively used mint. It was prescribed for gynecological diseases, for liver and bronchial diseases.

If your house is decorated with natural woolen carpets, and in the closet are stored natural fur coats, the mint room, the photo of which you see in the article, will be your indispensable assistant in the fight against the moth. In addition, the essential oils emitted by this plant purify the air and have a beneficial effect on the human nervous system.

To remove the itching and irritation after mosquito bites, mint leaves will help. But before applying the leaf to an irritated place, it must be rinsed and a little kneaded.

Mint room, the properties of which have already been thoroughly studied, must necessarily be in a house where there is a child suffering from wet diathesis. The condition of the baby will facilitate the leaves of mint. Beforehand, they should be lubricated with sterilized vegetable oil.

Care

Does in comparison with the garden bush any features of mint room? Care for this plant is simple, but certain rules of the content must be respected.

Once you bring the plectrant into the house, immediately transplant it into a larger pot. Most often in this case, use the method of transshipment, trying not to damage the earthen lump. Transplant the plant every year, in the spring. For plants older than five years, a transplant is allowed every two years.

Selection of soil

Peppermint is quite demanding on the composition of the soil. For it, the following soil mixture is ideal:

• Turf - 2 parts;
• Humus - one part;
• Sheet earth - 1 part;
• Peat - 1/2 part;
• Sand - 1/2 part.

It is desirable that the mixture you cooked was of medium density.

Top dressing

In summer and spring, in the period of active development, room mint needs to be fed. For her, fertilizers suitable for houseplants are suitable. Each month they alternate - organic and mineral.

Watering

In order for the plant to quickly build up a dense green mass, it needs abundant watering during the period of activity. We should not forget about periodic spraying. Room mint easily tolerates short-term drying of the soil, but this does not mean that you can regularly bring soil to this state.

From the middle of autumn, watering is reduced to a moderate one, since at this time the electratus rest and gain strength: a large amount of moisture is not required.

Lighting

So that the mint does not lose its decorativeness, take care of good lighting. This plant needs bright, but diffuse light. South-western windows are best. Protect mint from direct sunlight. Leaves can get burned.

Temperature

In summer, the optimum temperature is +20 to +22 ° C, and in winter it should be lowered to +15 ° C. At lower rates, mint leaves can be discarded.

Trimming

This procedure is necessary for mint. It is held in the spring. Carefully inspect the shoots. Cut out the bared and weak branches in half. In addition, you need regular pinching of the branches, which will help to form a beautiful lush crown.

Reproduction

Even a beginner in floriculture can perform this work. Cut the stem cuttings and place them in a container with water, sand or wet soil. After two weeks, roots will appear, and the seedlings can be transplanted into separate containers. Florists with experience recommend planting several cuttings in one pot. This will create a lush and beautiful bush.