Manuka Plant: A Versatile Evergreen for Gardens and Patios
The manuka plant Leptospermum manuka is an evergreen shrub valued for its year round foliage and striking spring blooms. Native to New Zealand and parts of Oceania, it thrives in warm, sunny climates and adapts well to Mediterranean style patios and balconies. Its flowers appear in bright red and pink tones, adding vibrant color to outdoor spaces. Resistant to harsh weather, the manuka is a practical choice for decorative outdoor planting in coastal or urban environments.
Manuka leaves are dark green and rich in essential oils. Like many perennials in the myrtle family, the crushed leaves release a strong, aromatic scent. This introduction highlights the plant’s main characteristics and its common name, Leptospermum manuka, sometimes referred to as New Zealand tea tree, noted for its distinctive foliage and fragrance.
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How to care for the Manuka plant?
The manuka is a demanding plant that prefers bright sun or light shade. When grown in a pot, choose a well lit indoor area and move it outdoors in spring and summer to encourage vigorous blooming and overall health.
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This plant needs a pot with good drainage and a substrate mix of equal parts mulch, silica sand, and garden soil. The manuka should be planted in a deep and wide pot to allow ample root growth.
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Manuka is a spring to summer plant. Its leaves persist year round, but the roots benefit from regular watering during the warmer months. Watering should keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, allowing the surface to dry slightly between irrigations. In autumn and winter, reduce both the amount and frequency of watering. Fertilize monthly in spring with a mineral fertilizer to support growth and flowering.
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Curiosities of the Manuka plant
Historically the manuka wood has been valued for its durability. It has been used to make tool handles and for smoking meat and fish, reflecting the practical versatility of this plant beyond its ornamental appeal.
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The Maori used certain parts of the plant as a natural remedy to reduce fever and urinary discomfort. Steam from boiled leaves was used to relieve colds and the sap on the skin helped treat burns. Chewing the bark is said to have a relaxing effect and may aid sleep.