Growing perennial shrubs and herbs that have several medical and domestic uses is often the gardener’s choice. If you are a gardener who is just in love with the homegrown various kinds of plants then this article is made for you. You can grow whatever you want at home by following a few simple steps to create success. Here in this blog understand and learn how to grow and care for rue.
What is Rue Plant or Ruda Plant?
There are many plants similar to the rue (ruta graviolens) example for fenugreek. It is a small perennial shrub used by the Romans in their cooking. It is also known for its medicinal purposes like stimulating menstruation.
This shrub is from Balkan Peninsula and it is also cultivated for its aroma and used in fresh or dry in desired amounts. The plant often bears cute tiny yellow rue flowers in clusters. You can grow this rue plant at home and get the beautiful bluish-purple foliage leaves as an attractive feature add on to the flowers.
Although the ruda plant is a medicinal herb, you should not forget that the rue leaves are toxic for humans and animals. Now let us know more in detail about growing the ruda plants.
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How to Plant Rue in The Garden?
Planting rue needs many pointers in place. The already planted and potted plants are generally planted in the warm spring season.
- The temperature needed for the plantation of the rue is between 60-70 degrees.
- The planting place/spot has to be decided wisely. If you are looking for a place in your garden choose a place that is a little isolated because direct contact with the plant can cause skin irritation.
- Avoid wet and heavy soil if your garden has such do not plant rue in such soil. You can plant in a container instead.
- If planted in the ground then spacing needs to be taken care of. It should have at least 1-2 feet of space between the two plants.
- Smoothen the soil surface and scatter the seeds of rue. A little bit of pressing is enough for the seed because they need light to germinate.
Tips for Rue Plant Care
- Place the plant in an area that has ample sun. Rue plants love the sun and sunny atmosphere.
- Consider getting it exposed to at least 6-7 hours of direct sun daily. They can be grown in the lesser sun but then the flowers would be fewer.
- The soil has to be capable of percolating, wet soil is not required for rue plantation. It can tolerate any soil but it grows well in little acidic and alkaline mixed pH soil.
- This plant has the capacity to survive in drought and can also be used for rock gardening in many landscape designs. If the weather is too dry you will have to water the plant.
- Overwatering can cause the roots to rot.
- The rue plant is native to hot weather and humid region.
- You do not have to fertilize the rue plants. They are self-sufficient.
Types of Rue Plant
- Black Beauty- blue-green color leaves
- Jackman’s Blue- vivid blue and strong aroma
- Variegata- little white on the leaves
How to Harvest Rue?
- Rue is known as a pest repellent and people usually harvest the dried flowers. You can make small pouches of dried flowers to deter all the insects and pests.
- Make sure you cover your hands full while harvesting the flowers to avoid the skin rash caused by the plant contact.
- Once a plant is fully mature you can cut it at ground level.
- There after you can dry the plant in a dry place and then store it in an air-tight container to use it later.
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Growing Rue in Pots
If you do not have a garden you can plant these rue in a pot that is at least 16 inches wide. The container must have drainage holes to avoid heavy soil and excess water content in the soil.
- Use an unglazed earthen clay container to keep it airy for the soil.
- Keep pruning the plant before spring to 6 inches of stems.
- You can easily propagate rue when the plant is fully mature and it will soon wither and wear off. Before that, you can use stem cuttings for propagation.
- You can also grow rue from seed by collecting the seeds in the garden carefully. The seeds should be lightly pressed in order to get ample light to keep germinating.
- Once the sapling is formed then transfer it to the larger pot. Let the sapling become a little sturdy before you wish to plant it in the garden.
Never Overwater or Let It Stay in Cold
You will have to take utmost care of the rue plant in the cold winters. Before the frost season arrives you should put a layering of mulch around the rue.
This will protect your rue plant from overwintering.
Also, avoid overwatering it is not going to let your rue plant survive. Overwatering will result in the rotting of the roots soon.
Quick Tip: Pest protection is not required for the rue plants. The only insect that sits on the rue is a butterfly. The butterflies help in the pollination of the plant.
Conclusion
Want to grow the ruda plant in the garden? We are sure that these little handy tips will guide you in the ruda plantation. Do not worry anymore about the ruda plant “where to buy or take care of it post-buying” visit us. Everglades Farm has the best quality ruda plant for sale. You no more need to search for “rue plants near me” as we ship the plants to your doorstep with minimal shipping charges. Wondering where to find a rue plant that is delivered in the best condition and undamaged? Log onto our site and buy rue plant of the best quality and follow this blog for further care and plantation.
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