7 Easy Ways to Grow Medicinal Plants for Container Gardens.
7 Easy Ways to Grow Medicinal Plants for Container Gardens.
While these plants will grow much bigger and most likely fruit in the ground they can also be grown in containers but mostly for their leaves when grown in containers. Many medicinal plants can be grown easily in containers, even if you don’t have a large garden. Growing your own medicinal plants allows you to have fresh ingredients for natural remedies whenever you need them. In this post, we’ll look at 7 medicinal plants that grow well in containers: aloe vera, mango, guava, sour sop, and moringa.
Aloe Vera.
Aloe vera is renowned for its healing properties. The gel from aloe leaves can be applied to minor burns, cuts, and skin irritations. Aloe also contains antioxidants and vitamins that benefit health when taken internally. But not all aloe vera can be ingested. To grow aloe vera in a container,
- choose a pot at least 12 inches wide and deep.
- Use a well-draining soil and plant aloe offsets or pups.
- Place the pot in full sun.
- Water deeply but allow soil to dry between waterings.
- Aloe is drought tolerant but thrives on occasional deep watering
- Fertilizing at least once a month preferably once in 2 weeks.
Mango.
Mango trees produce sweet, delicious fruits that are high in vitamins A, C, and E. Mangoes can be eaten fresh or used in smoothies and desserts. The leaves and bark of mango trees also have medicinal properties. And if grown in a container, bear it mind that the leaves is what you will use or medicine and not necessarily the fruit. However there Dwarf mango varieties are ideal for container growing that you can use both the leaf and the fruit.
- Plant a grafted dwarf mango sapling in a 5-gallon pot.
- Use a well-draining soil.
- Place in full sun.
- Water regularly.
- Prune monthly or quarterly to control size in your container garden.
- Mangoes might begin fruiting 2-4 years after planting depending on care.
Guava.
Guava is an excellent source of vitamin C, lycopene, antioxidants, and fiber. Both the fruits and leaves of guava plants are used medicinally as antimicrobials and anti-inflammatories.
- Grow guava in a 5-10 gallon pot.
- Use well-draining soil.
- Place in full sun.
- Water when the top inch of soil is dry
- Fertilize monthly to encourage growth.
- Guava grown in containers may fruit as soon as 1-2 years after planting.
Sour Sop.
Sour sop, also known as graviola, is a tropical fruit containing compounds that may help fight cancer and infections. The leaves, bark, roots, and fruits all have medicinal uses.
- Sour sop does best in large containers, at least 15-20 gallons.
- Use a well-draining soil amended with compost.
- Give sour sop as much sunlight as possible.
- Water regularly but allow the soil to partly dry out between waterings.
- Fertilize every month.
- Sour sop grown in pots may bear fruit in as little as 2-3 years.
Moringa.
Known as the “miracle tree,” moringa contains a wealth of antioxidants and nutrients. Almost all parts of the moringa tree have medicinal uses. The leaves are particularly nutritious and can be eaten fresh, cooked, or dried and powdered. Moringa thrives in containers in full sun and warm conditions.
- Use a 5 gallon or larger container
- Use fast-draining soil.
- Water regularly but avoid waterlogging.
- Moringa flowers and leaf buds can be harvested within the first year.
- Moringa leaves can be harvested multiple times per year once the tree is established.
Neem.
The neem tree has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and insecticidal properties.
- Grow neem tree in a 5+ gallon container with drainage holes
- Use a well-draining soil mix
- Site in full sun
- Water sparingly, allow soil to partly dry out between waterings
- Fertilize in spring and summer.
- Harvest leaves as needed once tree is established
Bitterleaf.
- Grow in 5-10 gallon pot
- Use well-draining soil
- Site in full to partial sun
- Keep soil consistently moist
- Harvest leaves regularly
Growing your own medicinal plants allows you to have the freshest possible ingredients for natural healing remedies. Even without a yard, you can cultivate aloe, mango, guava, sour sop, moringa, and many other medicinal plants in pots on your patio or balcony. With a little care and sunlight, you’ll soon have your own container medicinal garden! With the right containers and care, you can create your own medicinal plant garden on a porch, patio, or balcony. Enjoy ready access to the freshest natural remedies!
