Agerate (Ageratum houstonianum)

plant in a doorway with very fine lilac or purple flowers

To speak of plants and their properties is to refer to a vast and wide world that includes all the flora that surrounds us every day. Each leaf that comes out of the ground is a different type that grows with its characteristics and specific properties, such as He was a Houstonian or agerato, a flower with medicinal properties and ideal for decoration.

El He was a Houstonian It is a plant native to North and Central America and it has a very long prolonged duration making it ideal for ornamentation. With good care in its cultivation, you can enjoy this plant with great benefits and an invaluable aesthetic value.

Cultivation process

plant with white flowers that later turn purple

El He was a Houstonian it is a seasonal plant that usually reproduces during the spring until the end of the summer. When they are in their greatest splendor they are the preferred ones to decorate the gardens thanks to their showy blue color that adorns the exterior until after their season when they are discarded.

During its flowering season, it can reach about 30 centimeters in height and its flowers take on a pompous shape which is used by decorators to give volume to gardens and flower arrangements.

To cultivate it, planting should be organized in an area that is in full sun or in semi-shady areas if they are grown in pots. The ideal time for its cultivation is recommended between January and March when the climate is generally at minus 2 C. The soil to be selected must be a loose soil that is humid for the plant to develop normally.

At the time of sowing, a distance of 30 cm should be maintained between each plant maintaining a constant irrigation system of twice a week including a dose of fertilizer every fifteen days for flowering to be successful.

During its growth process it is important to maintain the correct height of the plant and the distance between them (minimum 20 cm) to develop its volume and leafiness.

To improve flowering and make it grow longer, it is important to cut their tips during their youth stage and thus increase its density. Already at this stage they begin to bloom, so it is necessary to water it every two days and eliminate the withered flowers to stimulate flowering.

Benefits of He was a Houstonian

Also known in some places as mastranto, St. John's wort or blue matchstick, This is a plant that can be obtained seasonally in most botanical centers and naturist houses.

Among the benefits associated with its use, its sedative properties are found thanks to its analgesic qualities and tranquilizers produced by the infusion of its leaves that help to recover from muscle spasms and arthritis problems.

It is also ideal to improve some digestive problems such as flatulence, diarrhea or abdominal cramps, in addition to being an effective reliever of menstrual cramps.

Rheumatic pains are also relieved when the infusion is applied together with alcohol, while the juice of the plant helps prevent infection in wounds promoting rapid healing.

On the other hand in gardening its qualities of being a bulky and showy plant, makes it ideal for filling in gardens and combine them with plants such as sage that are enhanced thanks to the bluish tones of the He was a Houstonian.

Care

flower close up look of the Ageratum houstonianum plant

Like any plant that goes through a growth process, this must have a series of cares, especially if irregularities are observed that may be products of diseases or pests. If we notice that the plant has poor flowering, this may be due to the lack of sunlight, so it is recommended to orient them for at least five hours in direct sunlight.

Lack of moisture can cause it to wilt and even lead to the appearance of Red spider, an insect that causes discoloration of the leavesTherefore, it is necessary to avoid its appearance by applying water and potash soap together with other insecticides of organic origin.


Be the first to comment

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*

  1. Responsible for the data: Miguel Ángel Gatón
  2. Purpose of the data: Control SPAM, comment management.
  3. Legitimation: Your consent
  4. Communication of the data: The data will not be communicated to third parties except by legal obligation.
  5. Data storage: Database hosted by Occentus Networks (EU)
  6. Rights: At any time you can limit, recover and delete your information.