There are many plants that not only look pretty, but also have medicinal properties. An example for them is the thunder of Venus, also known as cufea. This plant has several benefits for us and, in addition, it is ideal for decorating the garden or home. It should be noted that it is not difficult to maintain. So that you can enjoy this plant wonder, we are going to comment on the care of the thunder of Venus.
We will explain in detail all the requirements to maintain this plant. In addition, we will talk a little about what is the thunder of Venus and what medicinal properties it has.
What is the thunder of Venus?
The scientific name for the thunder of Venus is Cuphea hyssopifoliabut it is also known as false Mexican prayer, cufea, false Erica or false heather. It is a shrubby plant very popular for its pretty flowers and easy care. It also stands out for having medicinal properties, which we will discuss later.
As for the size of the false Mexican prayer, it is small and does not usually exceed two feet in height. In width, it is usually about a meter. The stems of this vegetable have a very large branching capacity, which causes this plant to have a great density of foliage. In addition, it has many leaves between one and two centimeters. It also has abundant flowers that are usually white, pink and lavender.
The great advantage of thunder from Venus is that is very undemanding, thus facilitating its cultivation. For this reason, it is the ideal vegetable for beginners and for amateurs who do not have much time. However, if we want to keep our false Mexican prayer in the best possible conditions, it is best to know in detail the care of the thunder of Venus.
Medicinal properties
As we’ve already mentioned, one reason this pretty plant is so popular is its medicinal properties. The thunder of Venus It has the ability to calm the symptoms caused by fever and cough. For this, its flowers should be used in the form of a tonic. These have soothing, antipyretic and antitussive properties for the entire respiratory system.
Other medicinal properties possessed by the thunder of Venus are analgesic, healing and digestive. Therefore, it can also be made to serve to soothe headaches, heavy digestions, kidney pain and also to help heal minor wounds. As you can see, apart from being a really beautiful plant, it is also very useful to help treat various pathologies.
How to take care of a thunder from Venus?
Now that we know what it is, we are going to explain what the care of the thunder of Venus is. First of all it is important that we choose where to place this plant. Generally, the cufea performs considerably better outdoors. However, it does not tolerate direct exposure to high intensity sunlight very well. Therefore, it is best to locate the plant where it receives some sun for a few hours in the morning, but is covered during noon and afternoon. Of course, if we live in a place where the climate is mild and the sun is not intense, it can be in full sun throughout the day without problems.
Another option we have is to place the thunder of Venus in an area that is very illuminated, with indirect light or filtered light, such as a greenhouse. In the event that the leaves of the plant go from having a deep green color to whitening or yellowing, it is most likely that it is receiving too much light.
Regarding the climate, this vegetable needs it to be warm. It can withstand temperatures above twenty degrees without problem, as long as its lighting conditions are adequate. On the contrary, it does not tolerate frost or temperatures below five degrees well. If it is exposed to this cold, the part of the plant that is above the ground will most likely die. However, it may end up regrowing once the temperatures start to rise again.
One of the advantages of thunder from Venus is that does not require pruning. However, if the plant grows more than expected or what we are interested in, there is no problem in pruning it with sterilized tools.
Irrigation, soil and compost
Venus thunder needs a good amount of moisture, especially in hot climates. In the event that we grow this potted plant, waterings should be frequent during the spring and summer months. The most advisable thing is to water it approximately every two days. During the colder months we can reduce the frequency to every three or four days. If we have it in the outdoor soil, it is enough to water it once a week in depth, or twice if we are in summer. Before watering again, we must make sure that the soil is slightly dry. But be careful: it should never get flooded. If that happens, the plant could rot or contract a large number of diseases.
To grow Venusian thunder outdoors, it is important that the soil offers good drainage. It must be inserted into a hole of about 50 x 50 centimeters. We can prepare the right substrate ourselves. To enrich the soil, a good option is to use some vermicompost or compost. Both improve drainage and provide many nutrients to the plant. In case the drainage is still insufficient, we can add gravel or river sand to the soil and mix it well. If we have the thunder of Venus in a pot, we can use the universal mixture of peat, coconut fiber and worm castings in equal parts.
Finally there is the compost. This should only be applied during the warmer months. At that time it will be enough to renew the supply of organic potting plant by adding only a superficial layer of compost or worm castings every fifteen days or so.
I hope this information about caring for the thunder of Venus has been useful to you and that you can start growing this beautiful plant. It is an excellent option to decorate the garden or home.
