Snakehead

Snakehead: plant description

Grass Snakehead: plant photo

Snakehead (Dracocephalum) is a perennial or annual herb belonging to the Lamb family. It is also often called Turkish lemon balm. In the wild, this plant is ubiquitous in Eastern Europe, found in China.
Snakehead stems can be erect or creeping, depending on the species. The opposite oval leaves are dark green in color and have an attractive mint-lemon scent. Under indoor conditions, the snakehead bushes grow up to 0.3 m. This plant owes its unusual name to the shape of the flowers - these small tubes are surprisingly similar to the head of a dragon. They are characterized by coloring in white, blue and blue-violet tones. The snakehead blooms in June and pleases the eye for a long period.

Florists love the snakehead plant for its unpretentious nature, which does not require special care. Often, cut flowers are used for bouquets and flower arrangements. Varieties with creeping stems are used as a ground cover crop. In addition to its decorative qualities, the snakehead is famous for its healing properties: in folk medicine it is used for disinfection and healing of wounds. In culinary use, this multipurpose culture is used as a condiment for a wide variety of dishes.

Snakehead: landing and leaving

Grass Snakehead: plant photo

Despite the unpretentious nature of the snakehead, growing it at home requires adherence to certain recommendations.

Reproduction methods

The plant reproduces successfully by seed sowing - seedlings appear quite quickly, already 2 weeks after placing the seeds in the ground.

Protection against diseases and pests

The main danger for the snakehead is rotting of the root system and the base of the stem, caused by excess moisture in the soil during the cold season.

Temperature regime

In the wild, the snakehead successfully tolerates both heat and rather severe frosts, up to -15 degrees. Therefore, at room temperature, he will feel comfortable.

Lighting mode

Snakehead herb belongs to light-loving plants, so it is recommended to place it in well-lit places. However, exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided.

Soil composition

The best choice for successful snakehead cultivation is nutritious and well-drained soil. The introduction of river sand of a coarse fraction will make it looser.

Fertilization

During the growing season, it is necessary to feed the snakehead with nutrient complexes every 14 days. When the plant is at rest, no fertilization is needed.

Moisturizing and watering

The snakehead is not picky about the air humidification mode. In winter, when heating devices and batteries are working, it is recommended to regularly sprinkle it with water at room temperature.

As for watering procedures, they should be frequent and abundant only during the growing season. With the arrival of autumn, the frequency of procedures should be reduced. In the winter months, the interval between soil moistening procedures should be such that the soil around the plant roots does not dry out completely.

Transplant recommendations

The adult snakehead bushes should be transplanted no more than 1 time in 2-3 years. This should be done in the spring months.

Types of snakehead

There are several types of snakeheads that have certain differences from each other.

Moldavian Snakehead

Moldavian Snakehead: video about the varietyDracocephalum moldavicum or Moldavian snakehead is the tallest species of this culture - the length of its straight stems can be about half a meter. Shoots of this species are weakly branched and often have an edge along their entire length. The leaf plates are colored deep green and have an oblong shape and jagged edges. Their surface is usually glossy. Along the entire length of erect peduncles, purple and lilac flowers bloom successively, from bottom to top. The flowering period is long. If you cut or break the stem of the Moldavian Snakehead and the base of the Moldavian Snakehead leaf, you can smell a pleasant lemon scent. Due to this property, parts of this plant serve as natural flavorings for the preparation of soft drinks.

Ruysch's snakehead

Ruysch: video about the snakehead varietyDracocephalum ruyschiana or Ruysch's snakehead belongs to the low varieties of this culture - the height of its erect stems ranges from 15 to 30 cm.For narrow glossy leaves painted in bright green color, two locations on the stems are characteristic - opposite pairs, or whorls. The pleasantly scented blue or blue flowers of Ruysch's Snakehead form medium-sized inflorescences on the tops of stems and shoots.

Dropped Serpentine

Wilted snakehead: photo of the variety

Dracocephalum nutans or drooping snakehead is another short plant species. Branching straight stems are covered with an edge and can reach a height of 40 cm. The edge is also present on lanceolate green leaves pierced with veins, sometimes it has a purple color. At the tops of the peduncles, flowers bloom in lilac, purple or lavender tones.

Large-flowered

Large-flowered snakehead: photo of the variety

Another species of snakehead that does not differ in height is the large-flowered, Dracocephalum grandiflorum. It is characterized by the presence of an edge on the surface of leaf petioles, on which green leaves shaped like a lancet are attached. The surface of the leaves is also densely pubescent; there is also a branched mesh of veins on it. On the tops of thin straight stems are medium-sized inflorescences, made up of blue, purple or blue flowers.