Iberis, medicinal plant for terrace or balcony

When we look for small plants to have our balconies or terraces we often think of geraniums, carnations, or petunias, which are ideal for this purpose, but which are not the only ones. One of the most interesting is the Iberis, which has flowers that stand out for being different, for being unique.

In addition, it has very interesting medicinal properties as we will see later. So, Why not give it a try?

Iberis features

Our protagonist is a genus of plants composed of a total of 50 species of evergreen shrubs and herbs (both annual and perennial), originally from the Old World. Among the best known species we find the Iberis umbellata which grows as an annual herb up to 20cm tall, and the iberis sempervirens, which is a shrub of up to 30cm that resists frosts down to -7ºC.

Depending on the species, the color of its flowers varies a lot: some are pink, others white, others purple. These grow grouped in inflorescences in the form of dense heads. To enjoy them, you have to wait for spring to come, which will be when they begin to sprout until the end of the summer.

How do you take care of yourself?

To have this plant in perfect condition, you must provide it with the following care:

Location

Place preferably in an area where it is exposed to direct sunlight. If you don't have one, you can have it in a semi-shady corner, but it is important that that room receives a lot of natural light.

Irrigation

Irrigation has to be frequent; yes, avoiding waterlogging. As usual, It will be watered about three times a week in summer, and every five-six days the rest of the year.

Subscriber

It is not necessary, but you can pay it during the warm months with organic fertilizers, such as guano, ground horn or seaweed extract.

Transplant

Whether you want to pass it to the garden or to a larger pot, the best time for this is in spring, after the frosts have passed.

Pruning

After flowering it is advisable trim it a bit to keep it compact.

Iberis problems

It is a very resistant plant, but if the humidity is excessive it can be affected by mildew that can be controlled with systemic fungicides; and if on the contrary it is very low and also the temperatures are very high, it may have trips, which can be removed with pyrethrin.

How does it reproduce?

Would you like to have any of these plants without having to spend a lot? Well, you should know that an adult specimen is very cheap, since it costs about 2 euros, but of course, when you think that with that money you can buy an envelope full of seeds and that those seeds will all become an Iberis ... It is something that must be taken into account.

In addition, they grow quickly, so I recommend that you buy the seeds, in spring. This way they will be able to flower only two to three months later. The question is, how are they sown? It's actually very simple. You just have to follow this step by step:

• Put the seeds in a glass of water for 24 hours. In this way, you can discard those that are not viable, that is, those that remain floating.
• The next day, fill the seedbed with universal growing medium (it is highly recommended that it be a seedbed tray, but you can use a pot or even yogurt or milk containers).
• Place a maximum of two seeds in each seedbed, placing them right on the surface of the substrate.
• Now, put a thin layer of substrate on them, just so the wind can't blow them away.
• Finally water and put the seedling in an area where it gives direct light at least 4 hours a day.

Your first Iberis will germinate in just three weeks if the substrate is always slightly damp. When they are 10cm tall, you can transplant them to larger pots or to the garden.

Medicinal properties of Iberis

In popular medicine the species is used above all Iberia bitter, of which you can use everything. Has digestive and carminative properties which means that it favors the reduction of gases in the digestive tract, thus reducing colic and flatulence. It is, therefore, highly recommended for those who have digestive problems, but it can also be used to relieve the symptoms of gout and / or rheumatism.

But as with everything, extremes are very harmful, and if you take more than what is really needed, it could cause vomiting, nausea and / or diarrhea. To avoid it, Infusions will be made with only 30 grams of flowers and seeds put to boil in a liter of water, no more. We will drink between 2 and 3 cups a day, after the main meals.

So far our special on one of the most unknown but most suitable small plants to have in pots, or in the gardens. Beautify any room with it, and show it off as a home 😉.