Care of the plant Ballota pseudodictamnus or False dittany |
The Ballota genus, Lamiaceae family, comprises 30 species of perennial plants and sub-shrubs native to the Mediterranean region. Some species are: Ballota pseudodictamnus, Ballota hirsuta, Ballota frutescens, Ballota acetabulosa, Ballota nigra, Ballota hispanica. Common name: False dittany. This species is native to Turkey. They are short plants with attractive leaves in opposite pairs, very hairy and rounded or oval in shape. They produce white or pink tube-shaped flowers; they are not very interesting from an ornamental point of view. False dittany is used for rockeries, for mixed beds and for pots on terraces and balconies. Ballota pseudodictamnus is a very rustic and easy to grow plant that can grow in exposures in full sun or light shade and with high or medium temperatures. False dittany grows in neutral or calcareous soils provided they have good drainage. It can be transplanted from late winter to early summer. Water moderately in summer and very lightly in winter; water enough so that the soil is a little moist. Fertilize with manure at the time of planting and with mineral fertilizer once a month in spring and summer. Prune at the end of winter to remove dry branches, control their growth or give them shape. Ballota pseudodictamnus is a plant resistant to pests and diseases. Its worst enemy is excess moisture. False dittany propagates by seeds sown in spring or by cuttings in summer or spring. |
Images of the plant Ballota pseudodictamnus or False dittany |