Peganum harmala (Syrian Rue) Plant

Description

Peganum harmala, known as Syrian Rue, is native to Asia and Syria. Now naturalized and/or weedy in many countries, including arid areas of Australia, Syrian rue has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and spiritual practices.

The Syrian Rue plant is a bushy, herbaceous perennial has short creeping roots and grow to 0.8m in height. An arid plant that will not tolerant high rainfall. The plant dies back to the tuberous root and stays dormant over winter. Keep dry while dormant.

Harmala Alkaloids

The seeds of Syrian rue contain harmala alkaloids, including harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine. These alkaloids are known for their psychoactive properties. The harmala alkaloids in Syrian rue are potent inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (MAO), an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters in the brain. This makes them effective in altering mood and perception.

Medicinal Uses

Traditionally, people have used Syrian rue to treat various ailments, including digestive issues, parasites, and skin diseases.

Spiritual and Ritualistic Uses

In some cultures, people burn the seeds as incense for their aromatic properties and believe they ward off the evil eye or negative energies.

• Common Name.

Esfand; Wild Rue; African Rue; Harmel; Aspand.

• Specifications.

50mm Pot Size
Seed Grown Plant

Ideal Growing Conditions.

Peganum is a perennial, drought-tolerant herb native to the Mediterranean region, North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. It grows in arid and semi-arid environments, often found in sandy or rocky soils. Ensure well drained potting mix, we find half perlite to half potting mix works best. Limited watering is required. This plant does not like humidity. The plant dies back to the tuberous root and stays dormant over winter. Keep dry while dormant.

Pruning: Trim back any leggy or dead growth to encourage bushier growth.

Pests and Diseases: Peganum harmala is generally resistant to most pests and diseases. Its aromatic and chemically active foliage tends to deter many common garden insects, making it a relatively low-maintenance plant.

Soil: You need a high quality potting mix, not a pre-bagged product such as you find at Bunnings etc, try a landscaping place. However, as I am not local to you I still can’t say if they have good quality or not. You are looking for well composted pine bark and large particles. This ensures air flow to the roots and good drainage.

We recommend Yates Nutricote Standard Black 270 Day for a fertiliser, which can be found in our store, however any good quality slow release fertiliser will do. When time to re-pot, select a pot one size up ONLY and ensure it has many holes for good drainage.

Fertiliser: 

Yates Nutricote Standard Black 270 Day Controlled Release Fertiliser

The Plant Runner Indoor Plant Food

We cannot send plants to Western Australia & Tasmania due to restrictions.

We cannot ship this species Internationally.

We strongly recommended to select Express Post shipping for all plant orders to minimise the transit time.

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