Many probably only know incense from church. We show that the plant can also enrich the garden and give tips on planting and caring for it.
Incense has also been known in Europe for thousands of years. Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Israelites long ago used the resin for their cultural rites and for religious occasions and even today incense is used in Catholic churches. Frankincense has also been known for a long time in medicine. Frankincense (Boswellia) is often confused with the frankincense plant (Plectranthus coleoides). But the only similarity lies in the name. If you are looking for the precious frankincense resin, you will unfortunately not find it in the frankincense plant. Nevertheless, this plant, which belongs to the harp shrubs (Plectranthus), has a lot to offer.
Frankincense: origin and meaning
Frankincense comes from arid regions like Oman and was traded worldwide as a precious commodity from early times. The frankincense plant, on the other hand, is originally native to the tropics of Africa and Asia. We like to use it as a balcony plant or put it in hanging baskets because its shoots hang down. The characteristic fragrance that emanates from its leaves is inherent to it and probably also the reason for its name.
Buy frankincense plants: you should pay attention to this
The frankincense plant is available in different varieties. Some strains flower white, while others develop purple flowers. The white-edged leaves are particularly characteristic of some varieties. Otherwise there is nothing else to consider when buying. You can find the plant at most garden centers and online.
Plant incense
In contrast to real frankincense, the frankincense plant is very easy to care for and uncomplicated. Not only can it be kept outside, it is even suitable as a houseplant.
The perfect location for the frankincense plant
The frankincense plant is what denIn terms of location, not particularly demanding and can cope with many conditions. It is also not very choosy when it comes to shade, partial shade or even full sun. However, she prefers it to be sunny and bright. There it grows quickly and forms long, drooping shoots.
Procedure for planting the incense
Choosing the right plant substrate for the frankincense plant is easy. Use garden or potting soil for this, for example our peat-free Plantura organic potting soil. The plant is ideal for balcony boxes and can also be placed between other summer flowers. The first fertilization must be done a few weeks after planting.
Plant Frankincense Tree
The frankincense plant is often confused with real frankincense due to the fact that it has the same name, but real frankincense is a tree. It comes from mountainous desert regions and is the supplier of valuable frankincense resin. However, keeping it is not easy, so it is not recommended for beginners. You can find out more about buying, planting and caring for the frankincense tree here.
Care for the frankincense plant
The frankincense plant likes to be kept moist. Since it grows very quickly, it also needs fertilizer from time to time. Our primarily organic Plantura organic flower fertilizer with a long-term effect is ideally suited here.
Over the summer, apart from that, the plant does not need any special care. However, the frankincense plant is not hardy. However, you can overwinter them indoors. To do this, choose a bright location at 10-15 °C and water them rarely. Hibernation at room temperature is also possible. Then you should continue watering as usual.
Effects and uses of incense
Despite its intense fragrance, no medical effectiveness has been proven for the frankincense plant. What does not help against complaints or diseases, but at least provides relief against various insects. Things are different with the namesake of the frankincense plant, real frankincense. Although frankincense has been used for healing since ancient times, it is not very present in medicine today. Frankincense is used in Ayurveda medicine to treat joint problems. Frankincense was also used here in Europe, for example against rheumatism. However, the effect is often not proven. The smoke produced by burning the resin is believed to have anxiolytic and antidepressant effects.Frankincense is also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. In Germany, capsules with the resin of the Indian frankincense tree (Boswellia serrata) are available for internal use. They are said to have a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect.
Incense against mosquitoes
Both frankincense and frankincense plants repel insects. The frankincense plant does this through the intense scent that its leaves exude. This is of course an extremely pleasant effect on the balcony and terrace.
Frankincense does not emit a scent directly, but the odor produced when the resin burns will deter insects. This can be very useful, for example on mild summer evenings. If you want to enjoy the evening near the pond for a little longer, you will quickly be plagued by annoying mosquitoes. However, these can be expelled by burning incense, for example in suitable bowls with coal or in the last embers of a fire.