Melastoma plant : How to grow and care for it?

Melastoma is a beautiful flowering shrub that has become quite popular among gardeners looking to beautify their garden. This plant is widely admired for its ornamental value, which is amplified by its vibrant purple blooms.  Additionally, Melastoma has been discovered to have medicinal value. It is now used to make medicines and cures for a variety of illnesses. Read on to learn more about how to grow and care for Melastoma in your garden. 

What is Melastoma?

Melastoma is a genus in the Melastomataceae family. The family has a variety of over 100 species and is found on most continents. Originally, they were native to India, Japan, Australia and the Pacific Islands. Today, Melastoma has been naturalised in America as well. It has now become an invasive species due to its rapid growth and speed of reproduction.  They are naturally found in grasslands and forests. Melastoma doesn’t grow to a great height but becomes bushy with time. The main attraction of the plant is its flowers which sport a bright purple colour. 

Melastoma: Common names

The most common variety of Melastoma plants is the Melastoma Malabathricum which is known by its common names like Malabar Melastome, Indian Rhododendron, and Singapore Rhododendron.

Melastoma plant: Key facts

Melastoma: Care tips

The Melastoma plants do not require a lot of attention and care. They can thrive well even without fertilisers and low water levels. They are intolerant to frost but can deal with cold temperatures. Melastoma grows pretty rapidly and especially needs to be pruned to control its growth or aid it. If you have a Melastoma plant in your garden, here are some care tips that will help you grow them better.

Melastoma plant: Soil requirements

Although Melastoma can survive in any soil type, the best choice would be normal garden soil or loamy soil. This would allow it to grow naturally without requiring extra fertilisers. Make sure the soil is well drained, and there are no chances for root rot.

Melastoma plant: Water requirements

Watering a Melastoma is super easy. All you need to do is check if the top soil is dry. Wait for the top two inches to dry before watering. If you are more comfortable with a watering schedule, you can water them once in three or four days, depending on the weather. Avoid your Melastoma them if the soil looks moist. If there is a water logging issue, make sure to repot them and use a well-drained media for potting.

Melastoma plant: Sunlight requirements

Melastoma grows best in full sunlight. They are completely outdoor plants that require a minimum of 5-6 hours of bright direct light in a day. They can grow best in an open garden or a terrace with ample sunlight. Melastoma can tolerate heavy shade but only in extremely hot weather.

Melastoma: Benefits

Melastoma is a beautiful plant that is admired for its ornamental value. The flowers are enough to light up any part of your garden. They are easy to look after, so gardeners love having them in their garden.

However, recent studies have shown that Melastoma has a lot of medicinal properties. Extracts from the plant can be used to treat a variety of illnesses and medical conditions. Melastoma has strong anti-inflammatory properties and antimicrobial properties that make it great for treating wounds and allergies. 

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Here are some of the top health benefits of Melastoma that will surprise you immensely:-

• Antioxidant properties 

Melastoma extracts have the power to influence free radicals in the body. It helps to keep serious diseases at bay, and antioxidant properties help reduce cell damage.

• Antimicrobial properties 

The antimicrobial properties of Melastoma are extremely important in expelling germs and diseases from the body. It fights against yeast infection and helps inhibit the growth of harmful microbes in the body.

• Anti-inflammatory properties 

Melastoma is said to have anti-inflammatory properties that can help bring down the swelling in various parts of the body. Additionally, it can relieve symptoms of allergies that can be painful to deal with. People suffering from sore throat, bronchitis, and other inflammatory illnesses can use Melastoma to reduce its effects.

Melastoma: Toxicity

Melastoma are not considered toxic for either humans or animals. In fact, most parts of these plants are edible and used in the formulation of different medicines. It’s safe to grow them in your garden. However, like every other plant, it’s advisable to keep them out of reach of children and pets. 

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