The frankincense tree is one of the most precious plants on earth. We give all the important tips for buying, planting and caring for the frankincense tree.
The resin of the frankincense tree (Boswellia) is legendary. No wonder, because the valuable raw material has been used in ritual and religious ceremonies for thousands of years. However, the frankincense tree's namesake, the frankincense plant (Plectranthus coleoides), is unable to produce the resin. Only the frankincense tree can do that.
The frankincense tree is a special kind of tree. The smell of its burnt resin probably arouses emotions in everyone. The tree actually only intended it to ward off pests. For us humans, however, the scent has a more contemplative effect and goes deep.
Frankincense tree: origin and properties
The frankincense tree comes from barren and inhospitable areas. Although its resin is traded worldwide, it is only found in three regions: the Horn of Africa, India and the Arabian Peninsula. The three most important species are the African frankincense tree (Boswelila papyfera), the Arabian frankincense tree (Boswellia sacra) and the Indian frankincense tree Frankincense Tree (Boswellia serrata).
The home of the tree is dry semi-desert in the mountains. Its habitat is dusty and yet the humidity in its native range is quite high, even if the tree itself looks dry. Unfortunately, overgrazing, overexploitation and slash and burn threaten the valuable plant. The offspring is difficult and so the frankincense tree faces a dubious future.
Buy Frankincense Tree
Frankincense has long been considered a sign of prosperity and we alth, so it is not surprising that the frankincense tree is an absolute rarity. The plant is very difficult to propagate. Planting plantations is like a utopia. So it's no wonder that an incense tree is hard to find. The lack of supply is of course also reflected in the purchase price.
ImOnline stores are now and then to find the seeds of incense. Unfortunately, growing from seed is difficult and very few seeds from the tree actually germinate. If you dream of an incense tree, you should rather invest in buying a plant. Either way, the care of the frankincense tree is not easy and for this reason it is certainly not suitable for beginners.
Plant Frankincense Tree
The frankincense tree is sensitive to cold, because it gets too cold for it at temperatures below 15 °C. Planting out in your own garden is therefore out of the question. If you want to bring it outside at least during the summer months, it is best to put your tree in a nice bucket. But the frankincense tree can also be kept as a houseplant all year round.
Basically, the plant grows very slowly. Only at the age of five to six years does it form "real" above-ground plant parts. The years before that are mainly devoted to root development. So don't be surprised if your plant keeps withdrawing in the winter, only to sprout again in the spring.
The perfect location for the frankincense tree
Due to its homeland, the frankincense tree is used to relatively high humidity. The temperature should never drop below 15°C. It is therefore better not to plant your frankincense tree outdoors, but to cultivate it in a pot. However, you can still take it out into the garden or onto the terrace in summer. Just make sure the nights don't get too chilly, and if in doubt bring the plant back inside.
It is best to choose a sunny spot as the location. The tree does not necessarily have to be protected, because that is not the case in its natural environment.
The right substrate for the frankincense tree
In its natural environment, the frankincense tree grows on dusty, sandy and rocky substrates. The tree will thrive best if you give it the same conditions. Mix soil as a substrate - such as Plantura Organic Herb & Seed Soil - with some soil activator and 50% of a stony substrate, such as perlite.
Care for Frankincense Tree
The care of the frankincense tree is more demanding than it might seem. The valuable plant comes from regions whose climatic conditions do not correspond at all to our Central European climate. These are dry areas where not much grows -can hardly be compared with our lush, green forest and meadow landscape here in Germany. And then it should also be borne in mind that the tree itself rarely successfully produces offspring in its homeland. Very few seeds manage to mature into a mature tree.
Water incense tree
Because the tree is used to desert climates, it doesn't like a lot of water at all. So water the tree sparingly and hardly at all over the winter. Nevertheless, this plant also needs a certain humidity. Especially in winter, drought can cause damage. So it is best to place a bowl of water on the heater to increase the humidity in your home.
Pruning Frankincense Tree
The tree grows very slowly and will not reach its maximum height of fifteen meters any time soon. So feel free to leave your tree alone for the first few years. If it gets too big at some point, you can shorten it evenly. But don't be too harsh, it's better to be careful. A pruning does not have to be done annually. Pay particular attention to the resin that escapes during the cut. This resin is the famous frankincense. This can be removed after drying on the tree. However, better place a mat under the tree during pruning to prevent dripping.
Fertilize Frankincense Tree
The barren home of the tree has forced it to be very nutrient efficient over thousands of years. For this reason, the plant does not need much fertilization. In general, you should only fertilize in the spring and summer months - and then only very sparingly. Late spring fertilization is certainly best.
The namesake of the frankincense tree is the frankincense plant. You can find out more about this plant in our special article.