Mikania

Family. Asteraceae.

Origin. Subtropical regions of America.

Description. Mikania is a large genus of approximately 420 species of perennial evergreen herbaceous plants with creeping, branched, ribbed stems. The leaves are beautiful, carved, can be simple, similar to grape leaves, or complex - consisting of 5 - 6 leaves, green or purple, arranged oppositely, from 4 to 12 cm long, depending on the type. The leaf blades are covered with delicate pubescence; there are species in which the upper part of the blade is green and the lower part is purple. During the flowering period, it forms inflorescences - shields, bearing many small white flowers that are not of particular interest.

Height. Grows very quickly and can add about 1 cm in length in a day. The stems reach a length of several meters.

Home care

Temperature conditions

This heat-loving plant can be kept at normal room temperature all year round. Do not expose the mikania to temperatures below 13°C. 

Lighting

Representatives of the species are light-loving, but need shading during the day. The bush can receive sunlight only early in the morning and late in the evening. When grown in partial shade, the bright color of the leaves fades.

Care

Mikania shoots that are too long are regularly pinched so that the plant branches abundantly.

Substrate

The soil should have good drainage and contain a large amount of organic matter in the form of peat, leaf humus and well-rotted manure. 

Feeding

Feed from spring to autumn every 2 weeks with water-soluble fertilizers.

Purpose

Mikania can be grown as a ground cover, but works best in hanging baskets - with its long shoots hanging over the edges of the pot.

Flowering time

The flowering period occurs in summer, but buds rarely appear indoors.

Air humidity

It tolerates fairly dry air well and only needs increased humidity at high temperatures or when central heating is turned on in homes. Water droplets when spraying can leave unsightly spots on the leaves, so use a room humidifier or place the plant on a tray with wet pebbles to increase the humidity.

Soil moisture

Keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy, from spring to fall. Be sure to drain excess moisture from the pan after watering. In autumn, watering is reduced and in winter it simply protects the soil from drying out completely. Water so that droplets of water do not fall on the leaves of the mikania; in the warm season, you can immerse the pot with the plant in a large container of water for several minutes. 

Transfer

Replant in the spring, only if necessary - approximately every 2 - 3 years. 

Reproduction

Stem cuttings, in spring and summer, about 10 cm long. The lower leaves are removed from the cuttings, rooting occurs quite quickly even in plain water. Seeds and daughter rosettes that sometimes appear on the stems. 

Pests and diseases

Mikania can rot if there is too much moisture. Leaves wither during prolonged drought. When grown in direct sunlight, leaf blades can get burned. The plant sheds leaves if there is insufficient air humidity.

Of the harmful insects, aphids, thrips and spider mites can pose a certain danger. 

Note

With age, the bush can bare the lower part of the stems, while it becomes less decorative and is replaced by a new seedling obtained by cuttings. Sometimes used as a medicinal plant and has expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties.