Ornamental plants are fantastic, but I must confess that my favourites are those that are not only beautiful, but also quietly contribute to the home. For example, purifying plants cleanse the environment of pathogens, others regulate humidity, but the ones that have a special place in my heart are the aromatic plants.
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Asking your plants for a few leaves to make an infusion or to prepare a dish is a unique experience. You offer them all the care they need and in return they will give you all their flavour and medicinal and culinary properties.
If you want to join the club of useful plants, you can start with a powerful trio of aromatic herbs: sage, rosemary and thyme. Easy to care for and versatile, they will be the perfect addition to your home. With this care guide, they'll last much longer and you'll learn how to use them.
All about Sage
Salvia Officinalis is an herb that is well distributed around the world. It grows very fast and is very hardy, so much so that if you plant it outdoors, you can leave it to its own devices and it will continue to thrive. In pots you do have to look after it a little, but it is so undemanding that it will become one of your favourites. It grows to a height of about 70 cm and produces beautiful purple, pink or white flowers in spring.
what is Sage good for?
This humble herb has many medicinal properties. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic and digestive. It has vitamin A and C, and also helps to regulate glycaemia. You can take sage infusions to relieve headaches, menstrual pain and discomfort, to improve blood glucose and cholesterol levels. It can also be used for stomach pains or spasms, and some people make mouthwashes with sage to combat bad breath, gingivitis and pharyngitis.
It is a popular ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine, and goes well with lamb, sausages and smoked meats, while in North America it is added to Thanksgiving turkey. But these are not its only uses, as it is burned to purify the environment and rid it of negative energy.
Care of potted sage
- Light and temperature: Place your pot in a place where it receives plenty of sunlight. It can be next to a window, but it is best if it is in full sun. It tolerates cold and frost, down to -7°C.
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- Watering should be done a couple of times a week during the summer and watering should be spaced out during the rest of the year. Water moderately, to avoid waterlogging and root rot or fungal attack. Always check the substrate: it should remain rather damp during its growth stage and once it is adult, wait for it to dry out well before watering.
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- A universal substrate will suffice for this pretty plant. You can add a little perlite to facilitate drainage.
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Powerful Rosemary
Rosemary has a very rich composition: essential oils, phenols, potassium, zinc, calcium, magnesium, vitamins B1 and B3. For this reason it has digestive properties. It is wonderful for treating discomfort such as heartburn, flatulence, indigestion, among others. It can be used to complement treatments for iron deficiency anaemia, as a mouthwash to prevent caries and inflammation in the mouth, as well as to combat bad breath. But my favourite use of rosemary is in hair, as it leaves it beautiful. Some people make their own shampoo with rosemary, but I prefer to infuse it with water, put it in a spray bottle and spray it on my hair.
But don't think that rosemary's uses are limited to medicinal purposes, because it is an essential seasoning in Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. You can put a few sprigs in a jar of olive oil and create a perfect accompaniment to salads and other dishes.
Care of potted rosemary
- Watering: This plant does not require much water to live. Wait for the substrate to dry out well before watering again. Water moderately: slowly soak the substrate, but not to the point where water is pouring out of the weep holes in the pot.
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- Lighting: Rosemary loves sun and light, so you should place its pot in a spot where it can take advantage of all the sun's energy. In theory it should get about 6 hours of direct sun, but as long as they are in a well-lit place it will be enough.
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- Substrate: you can use a universal substrate, as it is a very grateful and undemanding plant. In fact, it prefers poor, light soils. There is no need to add fertilizer to the substrate.
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- Temperature: if it should drop to -1°C, you should protect your rosemary indoors as they are susceptible to frost.
Fragrant thyme
The composition of thyme includes elements such as thymol, carvacrol, geraniol, terpinol, flavonoids, tannins and other active ingredients that give thyme a wide range of therapeutic effects. It works as an expectorant and antiseptic, so you can use it as a gargle rinse when you have respiratory conditions, such as pharyngitis, tonsillitis and others, such as allergies, that cause irritation in the throat area.
It is also an excellent digestive, so it will be a perfect infusion to take in case of abdominal pain, inflammation, indigestion, gas and other stomach discomforts. You can mix it with other aromatic herbs to enhance its effect.
In cooking, thyme is used to season poultry, meat and Provençal dishes. It is a wonderful flavour enhancer in oils, cheese and vinegars, but also in the preparation of soups and sauces.
Care of Thyme in pots
- Watering: Thyme requires little water to grow, so it is compatible with the forgetful. But remember that watering should be moderate, do not over-water your plant to avoid excess moisture affecting the roots. Let the substrate dry out between waterings.
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- Lighting: This plant requires lots and lots of sun to thrive. You can put it in full sun, or near a window where it receives a good daily sun bath. Do not worry about the temperature, they are very resistant although you must protect it from frost.
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- Substrate and pots: A universal substrate is suitable for this plant. It does not require excessive fertilization, in fact you should avoid applying fertilizers rich in nitrogen or minerals, because it will make it less resistant to low temperatures. The substrate should be rather alkaline and dry. Try to plant it in tall, deep pots, because the long roots of thyme require a lot of space to spread out and take root. It is very important to ensure proper drainage of the pot, as this will determine the success of your plant.
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Dedicated to creating an army of cacti, succulents, poodles and cats to help me conquer the world. In the little free time I have left, I play, write and dance.