The Incense Plant, also known as false incense or plectranthus ( Plectranthus coleoides var. marginatus ), is native to several countries in the Southern Hemisphere. It is a small plant with variegated leaves that are green in the center and have white edges. It emits an aroma similar to incense and can be cultivated for ornamental purposes. I invite you to learn more about this plant.
The Frankincense Plant
When one speaks of incense, one immediately thinks of incense, gold and myrrh, the gifts offered by the Three Wise Men from the East to the Child Jesus when he was born. These gifts granted had their meaning, gold: it was given to him for being the King of Kings, incense for being God, because this resin was burned in front of the Gods and myrrh for being Jesus a man, because with it the men were embalmed. dead.
The plant from which the resin for the incense, a gift from the Three Wise Men, was extracted may have been Boswellia sacra , as four species of plants of the genus Boswellia are known to produce incense of varying qualities. The genus Boswellia includes several tree species whose bark contains aromatic resins with diverse pharmaceutical uses, such as anti-inflammatory properties.
However, this article reviews the plant species Plectranthus coleoides , which belongs to the Lamiaceae family, a botanical family that includes approximately 300 species of herbaceous plants. These plants are native to warm regions of the Southern Hemisphere, such as Africa, Australia, Indonesia, and India.
Among the described species of this Family are: Plectranthus coleoides, P. ciliatus, P. verticillatus, P. oertendahlii, P. caninus (Coleus canina), P. forsteri, P. zuluensis and they are commonly called incense plant, false incense or plectranthus.
It is a herbaceous, creeping plant with square stems, its beautiful variegated leaves are distinguished by their bright green color with wavy white edges. On the other hand, its flowers are unattractive and therefore arouse little ornamental interest, its leaves when crushed release an aroma similar to incense, hence its vulgar or common name. Due to their creeping appearance, they are used as decorative plants in internal spaces, placed in pots.
Features
Incense or false incense, is a herbaceous plant about 50 to 60 centimeters high, native to India that is used as an ornamental plant for interiors, since it prefers to receive indirect sunlight, it is grown in hanging pots and planters for that spreads throughout the land due to its creeping habit.
Botanical classification
Family. Lamiaceae
Genus: Plectranthus
Species: Plectranthus coleoides
Synonyms: Plectranthus coleoides var. Marginatus; Plectranthus coloides variegata; Plectranthus Madagascariensis “Marginatus”
Vulgar or common name: incense plant, false incense and plectrant.
The scientific name Plectranthus is composed of two Greek words: plecton , spur, and anthos, flower. It alludes to the posterior part of the corolla, which bears a spur-like extension. The specific name coleoides means coleus-shaped or resembling a coleus, as in Solenostemon scutellarioides , better known in horticulture as Coleus blumei.
Its propagation in horticulture has given rise to the variety Plectranthus coleoides var . marginatus Hort. With milky-white leaf edges and purple margins.
morphological characters
It is a perennial herbaceous plant with a creeping habit, it is native to India. It is an aromatic plant with a dimension between 50 to 60 centimeters, fast growing but does not behave as an invasive plant. This species is found naturally in the mountainous range of India and has been introduced to different countries on the planet, namely: China and countries on the African continent.
The leaves of the incense plant are opposite, small (5-10 centimeters), oval-shaped, with fringed edges, and variegated, meaning they are bright green with white edges. Due to its growth habit, the incense plant * Plectranthus coleoides* is very decorative when planted in hanging baskets, on a high shelf, or in planters on slopes that do not receive direct sunlight.
It has fairly small flowers of little ornamental value, light lilac or white, arranged in clusters. As it develops, its stems change their color from green to reddish. When rubbed, the leaves give off a pleasant aroma reminiscent of incense. It adapts to warm temperatures and in winter it resists temperatures between 13 and 16 °C.
Its flowering occurs in the summer months, its flowers are arranged in erect spikes composed of small white or light lilac flowers. Some keepers of these plants prune their flowers so that more foliage comes out.
Plant care
To take good care of any plant, it is advisable to know the place of origin of the plants in nature in order to guide us regarding their requirements for light, water, fertilizers, time of pruning, type of soil, type of growth will tell you where to plant the plant and if they are plants that grow well in shade, full sun or indirect sunlight.
where to locate it
It is a tropical plant, in view of this it is suggested to place it in warm places inside the house and, however, that it receives a good amount of sunlight in which direct sunlight does not reach it. The place where the plants are planted should have little variation between day and night, the appropriate temperature range is between 15°C and 22°C.
In the house it is suggested to place it near the windows or on covered terraces so that the sun's rays reach it indirectly and in case of planting in an external garden it has to grow trees to shade the land where you plant them. These same plants will provide warmth and protection from strong winds in the winter season.
Irrigation
This plant of Asian origin, comes in nature from places with warm temperatures and high environmental humidity for this reason: it is suggested to water frequently in the summer months in order to keep the soil moist and well drained, that is, it does not be waterlogged In the winter months, watering has to be less frequent, when it requires water, you will notice this when the soil in the pot is dry.
In temperate countries with seasons, it is recommended to water frequently during the summer, and in other months of the year to water less, and always be aware that the soil is well drained, that is, before watering again, first check the soil moisture . Depending on the management of plants that you are growing, you will be able to measure the humidity of the soil, be it: with a humidity measuring instrument, with a wooden stick and observe if it comes out clean or if the soil sticks because it is wet.
You can use your finger to a depth of up to 2 centimeters or weigh the pot with a weight and if it is less heavy it is time to water. In the case of placing a plate under the pot, it is suggested that when it is watered, remove it 30 minutes after watering. This will prevent the roots of the incense plants from rotting and also prevent the presence of fungi. So, it has to be watered two or three times a week in the spring and summer seasons, and in the fall and winter seasons only once a week.
Fertilization
It likes places with good ventilation to avoid the presence of pests and diseases. The fertilizer can be applied together with the irrigation water, according to the doses suggested for these plants. The frequency of fertilizer application will be adjusted to the different stages of growth, a dose of fertilizer will be applied for the development of leaves and another dose of fertilizers will be applied when flowering.
sowing substrate
In their natural conditions, incense plants live in places with well-drained soils, therefore in their propagation they have to prepare well-drained soils for this: a substrate is used for their cultivation with a proportion of 30% perlite and add a layer of expanded clay balls for nurseries, this allows the water to filter quickly and does not puddle the soil.
The fertilizer or manure is added in the growth stage of the plants in the spring and summer seasons, organic fertilizer such as guano is suggested for this. Manure or chemical fertilizer can also be used in low quantities, which have the components of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, this will strengthen the leaves, stem growth, roots and prevent the fall of flowers.
Maintenance
They suggest renewing the plants every three years, given that over time the stems lengthen as they grow and the leaves begin to grow more towards the apex and less at the base of the stem. To renew the plants, it is suggested to take cuttings every year.
Pruning frankincense plants
Pruning is phytosanitary to eliminate withered leaves and flowers, in order to avoid the presence of fungi, bacteria and insects. It is suggested to trim the branches to control the height of the plant up to half its size, this benefits the health of the incense plant and the growth of new leaves and healthy and strong stems. If you are afraid, think that it is for the benefit of the plant, it is suggested to cut diagonally and close to the growth nodes of the stem.
plant propagation
Frankincense plants can be easily propagated by cuttings about 6 to 8 inches long. It requires abundant light, but sunlight reaches it indirectly, it requires humid and warm places; For its maintenance, frequent watering is suggested, soils rich in humus or organic matter and with good drainage.
Its propagation can be carried out throughout the year, as long as it is kept in warm places. In the spring season, propagation by cuttings will be faster. These cuttings can root in water, as long as there is plenty of heat and light. It is susceptible to being attacked by pests such as the cottony mealybug and the mildew fungus.
Plagues and diseases
Incense plants are quite resistant to pests and diseases, although periodic inspection of the plants must also be carried out in order to prevent them from being attacked by aphids, insects or other pests, or from being attacked by fungal bacteria. In addition to this, if good maintenance is not carried out, it can have leaf loss due to excess or deficit of water and other physiological damage.
Due to excess moisture, the roots can rot and the leaves wither, if you see yellowish leaves that fall, then it may be due to excess water and the point of permanent wilting occurs. To save silver, you have to change the soil and remove the plant, wrap its roots with an absorbent paper towel overnight and then the next day re-sow in a new pot of soil, before planting apply fungicide on the roots .
The pests that usually affect incense plants are snails and slugs that like to eat their foliage, they usually attack plants planted in external areas and become a serious problem. Due to poor drainage of the culture medium, or that there is a high density of plants that prevents good air circulation, it can lead to the formation of fungi.
This can cause incense plants to become diseased, exhibiting the characteristic damage of downy mildew or gray mold, produced by the spores of the phytopathogenic fungus Phytophthora sp. This can be detected by observing spots with a grayish powdery appearance. If this occurs, a fungicide must be applied. Afterward, maintain the plants with copper or sulfur-based fertilizers, according to the dosages specified by the specialist, and water as needed to avoid overwatering.
popular belief
Due to its delicate aroma of incense, there is a popular belief that the plant is a symbol of good fortune and that when its aroma of incense is released, it means that good news has arrived. In addition to this, incense plants help repel mosquitoes and mosquitoes. As well as perfume the environment.
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