Repel pests: Snails hate the frankincense plant
Created: 08/16/2022, 02:00 p.m
By: Ines Alms
Mosquitoes, moths or mice - many pests fear the frankincense plant.
For that alone, it deserves its place on the balcony or terrace.
With its green leaves, which are often framed in white, the frankincense plant is pretty, but also rather inconspicuous.
As a hanging plant on the balcony or as a ground cover in the garden bed, the fast-growing plant is popular for many reasons - including because it drives pests out of its surroundings.
Ideal for summer evenings on the balcony or in the garden, undisturbed by mosquitoes.
Repel pests: Snails hate the frankincense plant
The frankincense plant (Plectranthus) is said to drive away mosquitoes and other pests with its essential oils.
©Panthermedia/Imago
The frankincense plant (Plectranthus coleoides) is not related to the frankincense (Boswellia), a tree.
However, it has one thing in common with the tree: As
chip.de
reports, its spicy smell drives away pests such as some insects and is even said to be so repellent for worms, snails and mice that they avoid the incense plant.
Colloquially, the frankincense plant is also called "moth king".
Even with a light touch, the leaves give off an intense scent that even cats don't like and to which they can even react with an intolerance.
Gardener Stefan Hintriger tells
Focus Online
how to best care for the undemanding plant:
Since the plant can develop tendrils up to a meter long, you should plan enough space for its location.
The Plectranthus prefers a sunny to partially shaded location where it gets direct sun for a few hours a day.
The plant should be watered regularly or not allowed to dry out.
Fertilizer is useful in summer.
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The frankincense plant is easy to care for and can even be kept as a houseplant as long as it is bright or hanging, but preferably not above 21 degrees Celsius.
Since it is not hardy, it can also be overwintered indoors.
Other plants also drive away annoying insects with their essential oils or their smell, including herbs such as mint, lavender, basil or the aromatic curry herb.
If this is not enough for you, you can try to chase away the pests with home remedies: eucalyptus, cinnamon or cedar are suitable as candles or scented oil.
