The Incense Plant is one of the most sought-after plants by people who want to decorate their homes. Its easy maintenance and more convenient size compared to other types of plants make it a popular choice, in addition to its main characteristic of emitting a pleasant aroma wherever it is placed.
Why should you have an incense plant?
There are many reasons to want to have one of these plants at home, at work or anywhere else you want. In the following paragraphs we will give some excellent reasons to teach why it is good to get an incense plant.
- They are ideal to be in a ceramic or plastic container indoors or on the patio, and their care is really easy. The leaves are small and green, with a whitish stripe around them. The edge of the blade is reminiscent of a saw blade which blends nicely with the white edge of the blade.
- The flowers of this plant appear in groups and are generally very dull white and purple. The smell emitted by these incense plants is not unpleasant, on the contrary it is very good.
- This plant is reasonably fast growing, but if you want to have one at its best, it is important to provide the right amount of water for as long as it is needed. This is very simple, if you notice that the surface of the soil is dry, it is time to add water.
- You can try to cultivate different types of aromatic plants to produce different types of very pleasant smells. The frankincense plant combines very well with other plants such as jasmine.
- When the first flowers appear, it is at that moment that the reason for the name of this plant will be understood. It doesn't smell the same as frankincense, but it does have a milder aroma and, very similar, but without the burnt aroma.
- Having an incense plant in the living room, in the kitchen or anywhere else in the home will make the environment very pleasant. You must remember that it is a small, simple, but beautiful plant. And even, it can attract fortune to your pockets, because many consider it as a money plant, capable of bringing great abundance to the house.
If you want to know other curiosities and reasons why this incense plant is perfect for decorating and bringing both a good aroma and fortune to your home, we invite you to watch the following video:
How to burn the plant?
It should be clarified that it is not recommended that these plants be burned. This is because they are plants that are only used to decorate and enjoy their smell by moving their leaves a little. For this reason, you may wonder why there are people who try to burn the incense plant?
This question, which is quite common, can be answered simply and quickly. This type of plant is not related to the raw material used to produce the incense we commonly know. That incense comes from another plant called Boswellia thurifera or Boswellia sacra, better known as frankincense , and it is through the processing of this plant that the famous incense is obtained.
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In such a way that the incense plant that we deal with in this article is not the one indicated to burn directly and thus extract its smell. People just get confused because of its name. And, they realize this when when they bring it close to the fire, they notice that it does not give off any type of smell.
Therefore, in order to achieve the desired result, using the incense plant as a true flavoring for the house or to perform some esoteric ritual, you must follow the steps mentioned below:
- First of all, it is necessary to dry the leaves of the plant. But be very careful with them, as they are greasy and can produce mold or fungus, which, if dried and then burned along with the leaves, can be very harmful to health.
- Therefore, what you need to do to get a good drying, you need to start with the separation of a few leaves from the plant. After you have a certain amount, you must join the same leaves with a thread using a needle, which will go through each one of them.
- After joining the leaves with a thread and also taking advantage of the needle to make a kind of pendant, you will have to place it in a place to dry. And at this point it will depend a lot on the place where it is, since if it is in a place where there is a summer season, it should not be directly in the window, because the leaves could be completely burned and the material would be lost.
- In such a way that the best place for it is one that meets two requirements: the first, that there is heat; and the second is that it be a ventilated place or where an air current passes. They are leaves that can dry very quickly, so it is good to be very aware of them.
- After drying, they are ready to be burned in the type of practice or ritual in which you need to use them.
Basic care for the plant
The incense plant does not require much care, so performing some basic treatments on it from time to time will not harm it. Of course, in the following points we will deal in depth with different kinds of care, such as:
- Irrigation.
- the substrate.
- the manure
- Pruning.
- Reproduction
- Types of diseases and pests.
Before continuing to the next point, it is essential to mention that it is a plant from the tropical zones of the planet, therefore it is not very well adapted to extreme cold climates. Although, if the person lives in a place where the four seasons occur, it is recommended that during the winter they keep the incense plant inside the house and in this way, ensure their well-being.
Irrigation on a frankincense plant
This is the most important part of the treatment of any plant, without water it cannot grow and live. But as in this world, any situation can happen, everything will depend on several conditions. An essential detail to take into account will be the season of the place where the plant is located. They need more fluid supply in the spring and summer seasons than in the fall and winter seasons.
The best method of knowing when to supply water is to look at the surface of the earth. If the substrate is still wet, it means that it has enough water for now. On the other hand, if the surface is dry, it is understood that irrigation is necessary.
But, if the person has an incense plant hanging from the ceiling or on a shelf. It is better to lower the container and see if the soil is dry. If so, some water is provided. It should be enough to soak the substrate, but not too much. If you see water coming out from under the container, it is because you have exceeded the liquid.
By being clear about the above points about watering, you don't have to worry too much. However, remember that this simple method works for all types of plants you have in your home or garden. Although it is good to pay attention to plants that are outside, since their exposure to open environments will cause them to dry out even faster than in closed places.
What is the best substrate for a plant?
Usually when a plant is purchased in a nursery, it comes with a certain soil that is not rich in nutrients, since it is usually quite degraded and it is necessary to replace it with a quality substrate. Humus can also be placed, this is a fertilized soil or with worms. 
In any case, all types of universal substrates found in a nursery or specialized store can help you. The substrate is the soil where the roots will be, the better the quality, the better the development of the incense plant and the more beautiful it will be. However, the nutrients in the substrate can be depleted in a short time.
A good universal substrate is obtained mixed 50% with earthworm humus, it retains more water. That way, you won't need to water as often, and the plant will absorb nutrients as needed.
How to pay our incense plant?
The most recommended option in these circumstances is to buy an organic fertilizer to continue nourishing the beloved incense plants. The substrate can lose its effectiveness after a couple of months. This cannot be avoided in container crops, if you can plant in the ground you will not have this problem.
Unfortunately, this is something that happens when you have plants in the container. In such events, what needs to be done is to mix a liquid fertilizer with the water supply that provides nutrients for the plant. By watering, these nutrients are deposited in the substrate and the plant has enough food again to show its best flowers.
If this plant is not abandoned, it will continue to grow, but very slowly. Therefore, it is advisable to supply fertilizers once a week or following the recommendations of subscribers that are written on the packaging.
If you want to know how to make a good manure or fertilizer, which you can later supply to the incense plant, we recommend you watch the following video to make one:
How should we prune the frankincense plant?
This plant grows like a bush, up and to the sides. Therefore, it is advisable to prepare good scissors and make careful cuts, just as a professional gardener would do.
The idea is to prune the tips of the branches so that new branches can grow. In this way, a new branch is obtained that will result in 2 or 3 new branches with an infinity of leaves. On the contrary, if you want to have a very tall plant, simply remove the dry leaves and dry stems.
In this way, you will obtain an incense plant with thick stems and that will reach a height of almost one meter. This will obviously depend on the wishes of the plant owner, choosing what size they want. Generally, a branched plant with many leaves is chosen, so that one with enough aromatic leaves is obtained.
How does this plant reproduce?
This plant reproduces by cuttings. The best way to get these seedlings to take root is to keep the frankincense in an environment with warm temperatures. A good time would be between the warm months. The cutting process is relatively simple. To do this, the branches must be cut with at least 3 crosses or crosses of branches. It can then be drilled on a moist substrate, but not soaked.
It is not necessary to prune the lower part of the stem, nor will you have to add growth hormones. This type of plant has a very high rooting power. So, just by keeping the substrate moist and keeping it in a warm place, you will see how in two weeks they will begin to sprout.
Still, it is advisable to stimulate the roots with growth hormones. In this way, it is obtained that the plant produces the roots as soon as possible. That way you can enjoy the new plants in the shortest amount of time.
If it is observed that the substrate is drying out and the new roots have not yet germinated, the soil should be moistened. But remember that they do not have roots yet and will not be able to absorb water. Therefore, you must be careful not to shrink the substrate to avoid root rot.
Frankincense Plant Pests and Diseases
They are generally very hardy plants, although they are not completely immune to some pests or diseases. It also depends on where the factory is. Because it is very likely that, if we have it in our home, absolutely nothing will happen.
On the other hand, if the plant is on the patio or planted in the garden, the methodology changes a bit. In this case, it may be that some snails are attracted by its aroma and decide to try to eat from the leaves. So if this happens, these unwanted hosts simply need to be removed from the plants.
It may also be that some insects feel comfortable in the shelter of its leaves. In these cases, it is better to spray a mixture of potassium soap and water from time to time. In addition to keeping pesky insects away, the plants are protected from fungus and mold on the leaves. Something very common in cold and humid climates.
This product is also good for treating mosquito or whitefly infection. You should not worry, since the product is not harmful to the plant. It will also not produce immediate results in terms of insect removal. Therefore, the best way is to maintain a healthy plant with absolute foresight and thus reduce the level of attack of these insects.
Another problem to consider is the lack of an adequate water supply. If not done correctly, some leaves may start to wilt and eventually dry out. This is resolved by watering more frequently. On the other hand, excess watering is also harmful, so a compromise is the solution in these cases.
Various types of Frankincense Plants
Today, there are a dozen varieties of these plants in the world. Many of which are used for any type of ritual and of course, also to aromatize homes. Next we will explain a little the different types of plant incense that exist:
Myrrh Frankincense
This kind of incense plant is native to the African continent, specifically from Somalia. It is a kind of small tree, which always has small green leaves. To get the raw material and make the famous Myrrh incense, generally, after the rainy season is over, people make a small cut in the bark of the tree and the sap or resin will come out of it.
From this resin, which has a gelatinous texture, a somewhat bitter taste and a pleasant smell, the incense used for all kinds of activities is produced after an extensive drying and pulverizing process.
As data of interest, this incense is said to have been one of the gifts offered by the Magi to the Child Jesus when they arrived at the manger where he was. On the other hand, during the time of ancient Egypt, the priests, through the smoke emanating from the incense, warded off evil demons and calmed the sick.
Benzoin Incense
Also known as Benzoin , it is a common plant in the forests of Sumatra, Indonesia, where it grows to a height of 12 to 30 meters. It can live for 70 to 100 years. Obtaining its prized incense takes about a year.
The trunk of the tree is slightly cut, so that white sap appears on the bark. After 4 to 6 months, the sap hardens in tree trunks, at which point the sap can be harvested.
The sap that has been harvested is cleaned and dried for 3 to 6 months to remove impurities. After the sap has dried, it is ready for trading. By itself, the smell of incense is very strong and unpleasant, usually mixed with cinnamon and sandalwood for a calming effect, or with cedar to elevate the mind and access other spiritual planes.
Cedar Incense
Native to Iraq, cedar was considered a plant-based incense, earning the title of "tree of revelations" and being associated with the Tree of Eden. The smoke from this incense was believed to bring supernatural insights, inner strength, and self-esteem, as well as purify the environment of negative energy.
Labdanum Incense
It is obtained from the plant that some also consider incense, Cistus creticus . It is a shrub belonging to the Cistaceae family. It has some important properties for the immune system, combating inflammation, and possessing antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
It is a tree that is present in many Mediterranean countries. Like most species of frankincense plants, which have aromatic foliage, the C. creticus species exudes a highly aromatic sap or resin called labdanum. This type of resin is widely used for the elaboration of the incense that gives its name. Currently, this substance is a valuable flavoring ingredient.
Frankincense plant benefits
For thousands of years, great civilizations such as the Chinese, Indian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Persian and some Gallic and Germanic tribes had understood the incredible benefits that this incredible aromatic plant brings to different aspects of life. of the human being, especially the area of health.
For skin use, you can make an ointment to treat swollen, bruised, or burned areas. The teas can be consumed as stimulants and skin cleansers, as well as to treat stomach problems. Even mixed with water, it can treat many eye problems. If you'd like to learn more about rituals, we invite you to read about how to attract money.
The resin is usually chewed to preserve oral health. It aids in digestion and prevents stomach aches, and also helps cure colds, flu, and other respiratory tract problems. On the other hand, it improves memory and dissipates lethargy, eliminates migraines and drives away insects. And it is often used for muscle pain and rheumatism and arthritis. During pregnancy, it can ease nausea and aid in childbirth.
It is believed that it can treat diseases such as asthma and cancer. It also helps with any problem of brain origin, such as an aneurysm, preventing damage to the organ itself and aging and significantly improving memory and the brain's ability to concentrate, relieving fatigue. It improves the immune system in general and can also treat mental illnesses such as depression.
Regardless of the large number of varieties of incense plants that exist in the world, it is important to recognize that it is an excellent multi-purpose plant, since with it, not only will a good decoration for the home be obtained, but it will also serve to make all kinds of esoteric rituals that require an environment with a captivating and pleasant aroma.