This ultimate guide on bryophyllum plant will help you to know about propagation, sunlight, potting mix, watering, fertilizers, etc. Get to know about every important points by reading this article till the end!
Table of Contents
Introduction
Bryophyllum pinnatum is also known by many names such as epiphyte, Cathedral bells, Life plant, Miracle plant, and Goethe plant. And is considered to be a succulent plant. Bryophyllum is native to Madagascar and has become a popular house plant and has been naturalized in Tropical and Sub-Tropical areas.
This plant has a trait that is common with some other members of its genus. It is distinctive for the plantlets that form on the margins of its phylloclade. Many people also currently call this plant Kalanchoe pinata.
It is also commonly called as “Donkey ears.” Bryophyllum pinnatum is locally referred to as Manahidak ( “Mana” means leaf and “hidak” mean medicine).
Growing & Care Tips
You can purchase Bryophyllum plant from any nursery or online delivery store. Or you can also grow them easily from leaves. To grow this plant you simply place a leaf on top of the moist soil and in just a few days you will see the roots appearing, with full-grown plants in a few weeks.
Once the Bryophyllum plant is fully grown, new plants fall into moist soil. Now it will start growing as new plants. Take out from the old pot and plant new seedlings are potted in terra cotta pots that has drainage holes in the bottom.
Potting Mix
Prepare potting mix with 60% loamy soil + 20% coco peat + 20% sand.
Sunlight
Place your plants in a bright location with plenty of direct sunlight. It requires minimum of 4 to 5 hours of sunlight daily.
Bryophyllum plants can tolerate extreme heat but not frost. Bring your plants indoors before the first frost or if the temperature drops below 5 degrees centigrade.
You grow them in pots indoors during extreme winters without any problem. Just avoid cold winds. Place the pot near a window facing south or west or in a well light facing area.
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Watering
Apply Water when the soil dries a depth about 2 to 3 inches during spring and summer months with water at room temperature. Bryophyllum does not like hard water, so use filter water instead.
Reduce watering during winter months. Just water to keep the soil moist. Add water to the potting mix and avoid splashing to prevent leaves from getting wet. During growth and flowering phase watering once every week is usually sufficient.
Kalanchoe plants do not like soggy conditions. During winters you can apply water at an interval of more than 7 days.
Fertilizers
For proper growth apply ½ teaspoon bone meal once after every two months. It is required to change the soil of your Bryophyllum plant pot once after every two years. Just replace top layers of soil.
Pests & Diseases
Wash leaves with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to control infection. Remove brown leaves. Remove aphids by hand. If the plant becomes infected with powdery mildew; potassium bicarbonate can be used to control it.
Uses Of Bryophyllum
1. In traditional medicine, the juice of the leaves is also used for Kidney stones.
2. The crushed leaves are mixed with coconut oil and are used for curing headaches.
3. Juice of the leaf is given in a dose of 10-15ml to control bleeding in cases of piles and blood mixed diarrhea.
4. The paste of the leaves of Bryophyllum pinnatum is used for external application in the treatment of insect bites and burns.
5. It is a herb used for the treatment of wounds, ulcers and to control bleeding.
6. Tea infused with the dry leaves act as a diuretic and helps reduce high blood pressure.
7. It can be used to treat health problems such as hypertension, bronchial troubles, cough and cold, arthritis, and some worms.
8. Bryophillin –c a compound isolated from Bryophyllun pinnatum shows insecticidal properties.
9. Fresh leaves can also be eaten raw as a medicinal remedy for asthma, bronchitis, and intestinal problems.
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