The liver balm cuts a fine figure in the bucket and also in the bed. The easy-care subshrub will delight you with its flowers well into autumn.
The liver balm (Ageratum houstonianum) delights in beds or tubs with its persistent flowering. Under favorable conditions, the blue-violet flower heads appear until the first frost. The easy-care daisy family is distributed worldwide and comes in about 40 species. The variety of species results in a wide range of design options.
Liver balm: origin and characteristics
The original area of distribution of the liver balm is in the southeast of Mexico. There the plant can be found in clearings and on damp forest floors. Natural deposits can also be found in tropical regions and in the south of the USA.
The botanical name of the liver balm can be traced back to the Greek word equivalent "ageratos" for "eternal youth". This in turn alludes to the extremely long flowering period of the daisy family.
The plants are actually perennial. In our latitudes, however, annual cultivation has prevailed, since overwintering is rather difficult.
The different varieties of liver balm differ not only in the color of the flowers, but also in the height of their growth. A range of between fifteen centimeters and one meter is covered.
Find the right location for the liver balm
A sunny to partially shaded location is ideal for liver balm. Full sun and extremely hot locations, on the other hand, are less suitable. The robust plants withstand wind and rain and can therefore be placed quite flexibly.
The perennial bloomer is often found outdoors as a bed border. Large carpets of flowers have a very decorative effect. Gaps in the perennial bed can also be closed with liver balm.
Tip: The taller varieties are well suited as cut flowers.
Suitable plant neighbors for the liver balm are:
- marigolds
- Sun Eyes
- Marigolds
- Slipper Flowers
- verbena
Selecting the ideal substrate for the liver balm
A fresh and nutritious soiloffers the liver balm the optimal basis for growth. It is a good idea to determine the pH of the soil. Liver balm does best with values between 5.5 and 6.6.
Tip: Conventional potting soil can be used for cultivation in the planter.
It is important that irrigation water can always drain off well. It is therefore helpful to put drainage in the ground out of gravel or expanded clay.
Plant Liver Balm
Planting should wait until after the ice saints. The ground did not warm up until mid to late May and the danger of frost has been averted.
Planting step by step
1. Select location2. Prepare soil
3. Observe planting distances
4. Dig planting hole
5. Enrich substrate with compost6. Bring in the drainage
7. Insert the plants
8. Fill up the substrate
9. Press the soil down gently
10. Water the plants well
The planting distance should be adjusted to the growth height of the liver balm. For low species, ten centimeters is enough. For taller specimens, forty centimeters can be assumed.
Tip: Planting in groups creates attractive cushions of flowers. Planting in groups of five is recommended.
When cultivating in tubs and boxes, make sure there are enough drainage holes in the bottom.
Pour liver balm correctly
The liver balm should be watered sufficiently. Drought is not tolerated. In hot and dry summers, the plants can also be watered several times a day. The soil should not dry out.
Tip: If the liver balm is too dry, this shortens the flowering time of the plant.
Fertilize liver balm correctly
If the liver balm is to be adorned with blossoms until autumn, an adequate supply of nutrients is important. From May onwards, fertilizer is applied every two weeks. Liquid fertilizer can be added directly to the irrigation water:
Tip: The liver balm gets an additional nutrient boost if mature compost is mixed under the substrate during planting.
Further care instructions for the liver balm
Weeds should be regularly removed from the garden bed to ensure that the flowers remain in bloom throughout the summer. Regularly removing faded flowers will encourage reblooming. After longer periods of rain, the plants should be cleaned thoroughly.
Pretty Varieties of Liver Balm
Seed varieties are offered as well asnumerous hybrids are available. A distinction can be made between low and taller growing species.
low-growing varieties
(up to 20 centimetres):
- Madison
- Blue Danube
- Royal Hawaii
- Pacific
tall varieties
(up to 70 centimetres):
- Cut Bead
- cut wonders
- White section
Increase Liver Balm
Liver Balm can be propagated by seed. The hobby gardener will start with this in February.
1. Prepare the seed tray
2. Fill in the seeding soil
3. Loosen the seeding soil with sand and make it more permeable
4. Spread the seeds
5. Do not completely cover the seeds with the substrate6. Moisten seeds (use plant sprayer to keep seeds from washing out)
Cultivation on the windowsill or in the greenhouse should take place at temperatures around 20 degrees. If the seed tray is covered with cling film, germination can be promoted. Alternatively, an indoor greenhouse is also suitable:
The young plants can be pricked out after about a month. Three seedlings are transplanted into a separate planter. Cultivation will now occur at around 16 degrees.
Avoid direct sunlight to avoid burning the leaves of young plants. After the or Ice Saints, the plants can be placed outdoors.
Detect diseases and pests
The liver balm is susceptible to various pests. Infestation with whiteflies or aphids is more common. The plant is also susceptible to aphids. The nematodes cause the leaves to turn brown.
Spraying with water or applying nettle decoction helps to prevent pest infestation. Ichneumon wasps or ladybirds can also be used as natural predators.
Infestation with spider mites can be observed when growing indoors. The pests spread when the heating air is dry. Regular water spraying keeps spider mites away.
The plants are also sensitive to waterlogging. If moisture cannot drain away, root rot will occur.
Winter Liver Balm
The liver balm is usually disposed of in the compost in late autumn. In their natural habitat, however, the plants are perennial.
If you want to try wintering in our latitudes, you should note the following:
- Temperatures must not fall below five degrees
- the plants need a lotLight
- less watering
- do not fertilize in winter
With a bit of luck, the plant can be overwintered indoors or in a greenhouse and will bloom again next spring.