Lagochilus inebrians INTOXICATING MINT (5 seeds)

Lagochilus inebrians, intoxicating mint also known as Turkestan Mint, is a plant from the Lamiaceae family. It is primarily found in the steppes of Central Asia.
The scent of its foliage is slightly sweet, very pleasant, and characteristic.

Its foliage consists of opposite leaves, deeply divided into several narrow and pointed lobes. Ranging from grayish-green to olive green, the leaves are covered with fine, highly fragrant silky hairs that give them a slightly velvety appearance.

The flowers are clustered in dense whorls (verticils) at the axils of the upper leaves. Each flower has a white bilabiate corolla. The calyx is wide, bell-shaped, and ends in rigid spines that persist and protect the flower.

Inside each fruit are four small, brown Turkestan mint seeds, which are smooth and ovoid or angular in shape. These seeds are designed to survive extreme climatic conditions, including cold winters and scorching summers. They generally fall to the ground near the mother plant. They are somewhat elongated, measuring between 4 to 5 millimeters in length.

- Properties:

This member of the Lamiaceae family is sought after for its ornamental properties as well as its ethnobotanical value. It has a long tradition of use in the Central Asian cultures of the Tajik, Tartar, Turkmen, and Uzbek peoples of the Turkestan steppes.

It is a rare and fascinating plant used for centuries by these nomadic tribes. In traditional medicine, this variety from the arid steppes is used for its virtues on the body: soothing, hemostatic, sedative, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Do not consume for psychoactive or medicinal effects; cultivate solely for the preservation of the botanical species.

In traditional ethnobotanical uses, the dried leaves were infused to make a drink to enjoy its benefits. Sugar or honey is generally added to this drink to soften its bitter taste.

Distinguished by its robust appearance, this small shrub offers magnificent fragrant flowers. It is adapted to hot climates and drought, making it ideal for rock gardens or pot culture.

- Germination and Sowing of Seeds:

• The period for sowing intoxicating mint is in May.
• Sow the seeds in a tray of fine potting soil mixed with fine sand.
• Cover them with 1 to 2 millimeters of substrate, then water gently with a small hand sprayer.
• Finally, place the tray in a warm spot at a temperature of at least 25°C.
• They generally germinate within 3 to 4 weeks.

- Soil and Substrate:

The substrate must absolutely be well-drained and rather poor to mimic the stony soils of the Central Asian steppes. A mixture composed of a large portion of coarse sand (60%), gravel (30%), and a small fraction of garden soil (20%) is perfectly suitable. This plant fears stagnant moisture at the roots above all else, making the use of classic potting soil which is too rich or holds too much water completely prohibited.

- Exposure and Sunlight:

The exposure should be as sunny as possible to respect the natural needs of the plant. Direct and intense light for 8 hours a day is essential to ensure robust development and healthy flowering. Indoors or in a greenhouse, it requires a location bathed in light.

- Temperatures and Hardiness:

This plant shows surprising hardiness against the cold, able to withstand temperatures well below freezing if the soil remains perfectly dry. Native to regions with violent thermal contrasts, it tolerates both winter frosts and the scorching heat of summer.

- Watering and Water Needs:

Watering must remain extremely moderate and occasional, even during the spring growing period. It is crucial to let the substrate dry out completely deep down between two waterings to avoid any risk of rot. As soon as the plant enters its dormant period or temperatures cool down, watering should be almost entirely stopped.

- Multiplication:

Multiplication is carried out mainly by sowing. Although less frequent, the division of clumps can be attempted on mature and well-established specimens, but the operation remains delicate due to the sensitivity of the root system.

- Pests and Diseases:

The main enemy of this plant remains excess water, which promotes fungal diseases and the rapid rotting of the crown and roots. Regarding insects, it can occasionally attract spider mites if the indoor air is excessively dry.