Frankincense Plant: Plant & Care

Many people probably only know frankincense from church. We show that the plant can also enrich the garden and give tips on planting and caring for it.

Frankincense has been known in Europe for thousands of years. Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Israelites used the Harz for their cultural a long time ago Rites and for religious occasions and even today incense is used in Catholic churches used. Frankincense has also been known for a long time in medicine. Frequently becomes Real incense (Boswellia) with the frankincense plant (Plectranthus coleoides) mistaken. But the resemblance is at best in the name. If you are looking for the precious frankincense resin, you will unfortunately not find it with the frankincense plant. Nevertheless, this plant, which belongs to the harp bushes (Plectranthus) counts to offer a lot.

Frankincense: origin and meaning

Frankincense comes from arid regions such as Oman and was already traded as a valuable raw material around the world in 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 lights because its shoots hang down. Her own and probably the reason for her name is the characteristic scent that emanates from her leaves.

Buying frankincense plants: what to look out for

The frankincense plant comes in different varieties. Some cultivars will bloom white while others will develop purple blooms. 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 can even be used as a houseplant.

The perfect location for the frankincense plant

The frankincense plant is not particularly demanding in terms of location and can cope with many conditions. She is also not very picky about 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 substrate for the frankincense plant is easy. Use garden or potting soil, for example our peat-free one Plantura organic potting soil. The plant is ideal for balcony boxes and can also be placed between others Summer flowers be set. The first fertilization does not have to take place until a few weeks after planting.

Plant the frankincense tree

The frankincense plant is often confused with real frankincense due to the fact that they have the same name, but real frankincense is a tree. It comes from mountainous desert regions and is the supplier of the valuable frankincense resin. However, its posture is not easy and therefore not recommended for beginners. More to Purchase, plant and care for the frankincense tree find out here.

Cultivate the frankincense plant

The frankincense plant would like to be kept moist. Since it grows very quickly, it also needs fertilizer every now and then. Our primarily organic one is ideally suited here Plantura organic flower fertilizer with long-term effect.

Apart from that, the plant doesn't need any special care over the summer. 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 seldom water. Wintering at room temperature is also possible. Then you should continue pouring in the usual amount.

Effects and uses of frankincense

Despite its intense scent, the frankincense plant has not been proven to have any medicinal properties. What doesn’t help against ailments or diseases, but at least helps against various insects. The situation is different with the related name of the frankincense plant, real frankincense. Although real frankincense has been used for healing since ancient times, it is not very present in medicine today. Frankincense is used in Ayurvedic medicine against joint problems. Frankincense was also used here in Europe, for example against rheumatism. However, the effect is often not proven. The smoke that is produced when the resin is burned presumably has an anti-anxiety and antidepressant effect. Frankincense is also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. In Germany, capsules with the resin of the Indian frankincense tree (Boswellia serrata) available for internal use. They are said to have a pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effect.

Incense against mosquitoes

Both the real frankincense and the frankincense plant drive away insects. The frankincense plant does this through the intense scent that its leaves give off. This is of course an extremely pleasant effect on the balcony and terrace.

The real frankincense does not immediately give off a scent, but the smell created when the resin is burned is a deterrent to insects. This can be very useful, for example on mild summer evenings. Those who want to enjoy the evening a little near the pond will quickly be plagued by annoying mosquitos. These can be driven away by burning incense, for example in suitable bowls with charcoal or in the last embers of a fire.