Bryophyllum pinnatum –

Bryophyllum pinnatum, also known as Miracle Leaf, Life Plant etc.,  in Hindi it is called Patharchur and in Sanskrit “Pashanabheda” Miracle leaf plant is a  branched, aromatic, perennial herb, which can grow up to 2m in height. The plant grows in tropical, sub-tropical and warm temperate climatic zone. The stems are thick, flexible and short and the flowers are pink, white or purple in color.  The nodes are often hairy in some species. It is grown in the garden for ornamental purposes.

Indigenous to India, this It is also found in Pakistan, Nepal, Egypt, Myanmar, Africa, and Thailand. It grows up well in slopes too.

Flowers are  bell-shaped, drooping and are arranged in branched clusters at the tips of the stems and  grows up to 6 cm long. The fruit are papery and in membranous compartments. They generally remain enclosed within the old flower parts and contain numerous     minute, brownish-colored seeds.

Life plant can grow in any type of soil but it should be well drained and require minimal care. You can fertilize occasionally if potted on in a landscape. They grow well in semi shade and their water requirement is very minimal.

The plant will propagate itself from plantlets (small/young plants) present on the leaf margin which eventually grow into a new plant when falls off from the mother that can be replanted.

Bryophyllum is used medicinally in India, China and other parts of the world. Its leaves, bark, roots and stems, are used both internally and externally for medicinal purposes, Its  leaves are soaked and used as tisane. It is proved diuretic, it cures difficult urination and it is very effective in treating Piles, kidney and gallbladder stones.

happy gardening with Miracle leaf plant………………………….