Garlic vine – Flowering plants

Garlic vine is a flowering, ornamental evergreen vine, grows up to 6 to 8 feet tall, opposite leaves divided into two ovate leaflets, up to 6 inches long. The garlic vine’s leaves and flowers smell like garlic when crushed, hence it is commonly called as garlic vine. Flowering in the spring to summer in trumpet-shaped flowers. The blossoms are first beautiful deep lavender and have a white throat. Later the blossoms blur to a pale lavender and finally become almost white. All three flower colors can be found on the plant simultaneously. The whole plant, roots, stems, and leaves are used in herbal medicine systems. It is used to reduce fevers, treat colds, throat, and respiratory ailments. The plant is said to help get rid of bad luck.

Scientific Name: Mansoa alliacea
Common Name: Garlic vine, Ajo sacha.

 

 

 

 

How to grow and maintain Garlic vine:

Light:
Garlic vine plant prefers sunny locations but requires some shade.

Soil:
It prefers a rich well-drained organic soil. It grows even in poor, sandy soil.

Temperature:
The temperature in rest period minimum 10°C maximum 50-75°F. The temperature in active growth period minimum 16°C maximum 61-75°F.

Water:
It requires regular watering, especially during the flowering period. keep the soil moist but not soggy. During the hot dry season, it can take twice a day watering.

Fertilizer:
Apply an any organic fertilizer once every 2 weeks during the active growth period.

Pruning:
It grows moderately fast. So the plant needs to be pruned heavily after each flowering season. New buds will appear after few days of pruning.

Propagation:
It can be propagated by seed, or by semi-hardwood cuttings. Each cutting should have at least 3 or 4 nodes, with a few leaves removed to counter water loss. They can be struck in a blend of sand and compost, and do not usually need a rooting hormone powder.

Pests and Diseases:
No serious pest and disease problems.