How to Care and Propagate: Costus Igeus Plant (Insulin Plant)

-

Introduction:

  • Costus igeus, commonly known as Insulin plant in India, belongs to family Costaceae.
  • This plant is used mainly for the medicinal purposes.

Soil & Climate:

  • Insulin plant can easily grow in garden soil. Also, it is an easy-maintenance plant.
  • It can adjust to various type and the quality of the soil. But the ideal Soil composition is 20% compost and 80% gardening Soil.
  • Regards to fertilizer use, one can use cow manure or any organic fertilizer in the summers.
  • Insulin can grow in both tropical and sub-tropical conditions.
  • The area for growing the Insulin plant should have a balance of sunlight and shade.

Water Technique:

  • Water well once upper layer of soil is dried. You can check by touching the soil.

Propagation:

  • One common technique of propagation of the Insulin plant is, by cutting its stem and placing it in pot.
  • Second technique is Root division technique. When small buds grow in the pot, you can repot them by separating through their roots.

Importance & Benefits:

  • If plant is grown in well fertile soil (ground or big pot size: 18~22inch) then it bear flowers.
  • Flower of this plant has an ornamental use.
  • The rich green leaves comprise of Corosolic acid and various other enriching nutrients.
  • In India, some Ayurvedic doctor suggest to consume two leaves daily which helps to control glucose levels in the bloodstream and cures the condition for a diabetic person. This medicinal use of insulin plant is a nature’s wonder for a diabetic person.

Thanks and best of Luck!

Happy Planting!

I would like to hear your thoughts, suggestions and any questions in the comments below.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Care and Propagate: Syngonium

-
Image
Introduction : Syngonium is commonly called 'Arrowhead' plant because its leaves are sagittate (like an arrowhead) or three cut and mostly variegated. This plant belongs to the Araceae family, native to tropical rainforests in southern Mexico, the West Indies, Central and South America. There are several regular sized and miniature (dwarf) varieties. Syngonium plants are not just decorative, they have the ability to cleanse the air you breathe and act as anti-pollutants. These plants can reduce components of indoor air pollution, even volatile organic compounds such as benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene. They also reduce airborne microbes and increase humidity. Researchers from NASA and other organizations have approved this plant as an air purifier, and it tops the list. Syngoniums absorb pollutants into their leaves, and the toxins go to the root zone where they are transformed into nutrients for the plant. This plant can be grown on windowsills, in living rooms, be
Read more

How to Care and Propagate: Tulsi Plant

-
Image
Introduction: Tulsi or Holy Basil is also known as the ‘Queen of Herbs” and the ‘Elixir of Life”. Tulsi is a sacred plant in Hindu belief. Hindus regard it as an earthly manifestation of the goddess Tulsi; she is regarded as the avatar of Lakshmi, thus the god Vishnu consort. Many Hindus have Tulsi plants growing in front of or near their home, often in special pots or a special masonry structure Tulsi is a perennial in tropical and subtropical regions. Tulsi is mostly used as a medicinal herb for the treatment of numbers of diseases from headaches to cancer. Tulsi is known to purify the surrounding air. Types of Tulsi: Mostly there are 4 types of Tulsi Found in the Tropical region. Ram Tulsi : The leaves of this variety are light green in color and a little asymmetric. Krishna Tulsi : Also known as Shyam Tulsi, where Leaves and Stems are purple. This variety has more medicinal uses than Ram Tulsi. Van Tulsi : This variety of Tulsi usually grown in gardens, as it can get tall, bushy, a
Read more

How to Care and Propagate: Sadafuli / Sadabahar (Madagascar Periwinkle)

-
Image
Introduction: Madagascar Periwinkle also known as bright eyes, Cape Periwinkle, Graveyard plant, Old Maid, Pink Periwinkle, Rose Periwinkle, and Catharanthus Roseus. It is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae. It is native and endemic to Madagascar but grown elsewhere as an ornamental and medicinal plant.  It is a source of the drugs vincristine and vinblastine, used to treat cancer.  Mostly, the Periwinkle plant can be spotted on roadsides, in gardens, and on hillsides. Periwinkle is most often grown as groundcover and its different shades of colour and foliage make it attractive. More than 30 varieties of Periwinkles exist in different shades and colours across the world. Soil & Climate: Periwinkle can grow in any type of soil but it should be well-drained. It grows well in acidic soil and can survive in the partially shaded area. Ideal soil mixture: 70% Gardening Soil and 30% Compost. However, it can also grow in direct sunlight areas. This plant can grow up to
Read more