The frankincense plant (Plectranthus), not to be confused with the frankincense tree (Boswellia), is a popular plant for balcony boxes and pots. The ornamental plant is easy to propagate. This is how the propagation of frankincense plants works.
How do I propagate frankincense plants correctly?
The propagation of frankincense plants is best done by cuttings: cut off shoots at least 10-15 cm long, remove the lower leaves, place them in cultivation pots with substrate, keep them evenly moist and place them at 20 degrees. After a few weeks they are ready to plant out.
Propagation via cuttings or seeds
The frankincense plant can be propagated in two ways. Either cut cuttings or sow seeds. Propagation via cuttings almost always works.
Growing incense plants from seeds is not only more tedious. Seeds are also difficult to obtain. Only specialized garden centers offer this. Sometimes you can get lucky at swap meets.
To take cuttings, you need a he althy mother plant. The propagation works very quickly, so that you will have new young frankincense plants after just a few weeks.
Propagate incense plants from cuttings
- Cut cuttings
- remove lower leaves
- Fill cultivation pots with substrate
- insert several cuttings per pot
- place bright but not directly sunny
- ideal temperature at 20 degrees
- water moderately
You need shoots that each have at least one or two side shoots. If the tendril is long enough, divide it into individual pieces 10 to 15 centimeters long.
So that the frankincense plant looks nice and compact, several cuttings are always placed in one pot.
Keep the substrate (€6.00 at Amazon) evenly moist, but avoid too much moisture. After just a few weeks, the cuttings have formed roots and can be planted out.
Sowing incense plants
Prepare seed trays and do not sow the seeds too thinly. Not all seeds germinate later.
Cover the seeds very lightly with soil. Spray the surface with water. Make sure that there is no waterlogging. Keep the seeds warm.
Do not prick out young plants until very late. The roots are very sensitive.
After planting, do not put it in the sun straight away
Young frankincense plants like it bright. However, they do not tolerate direct sun very well at first. Get them used to the bright light slowly.
Do not fertilize young frankincense plants in the first few months.
Tip
Frankincense plants are not hardy. They are therefore usually only grown as annual plants. However, overwintering in a frost-free place is possible.