- How often do I have to water the rue?
- Does fertilizing make sense on a rue?
- When and how do I cut the subshrub correctly?
- Is the rue hardy?
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Their fragrant, lushly blooming beauty is only revealed at second glance. Instead, the rue comes with a whole range of advantageous attributes that make it an indispensable component for the scented, herbal and natural garden. Here you can find out how to properly care for the floral all-rounder.
The rue is very frugal when it comes to caring for it
How often do I have to water the rue?
Regular watering is only required in the first few days and weeks after planting. Once a rue has established itself at the location, normal rainfall is sufficient for it. In the pot, on the other hand, the watering can is always used when the substrate has dried to a depth of 3-4 cm.
Does fertilizing make sense on a rue?
A Ruta graveolens prefers lean, loamy-sandy to gritty soil. A continuous supply of nutrients is therefore not an advantage. A small portion of compost after pruning in spring, on the other hand, gets this year's growth going. At the start of the season, the rue likes to take a liquid herbal fertilizer in a bucket in March/April.
When and how do I cut the subshrub correctly?
The rue proves its uncomplicated disposition not least in terms of pruning. Cut the subshrub back to the ground in February or March. As long as at least one pair of buds remain on each stem, the plant will diligently sprout again. If possible, avoid premature pruning in autumn, as this measure impairs winter hardiness.
Is the rue hardy?
The rue comes from the sunny, warm, mild winter regions of the Mediterranean. Therefore, the natural beauty only has a conditional winter hardiness. In harsh locations, the plant periodically freezes back to its woody base. This is of course no cause for concern, as it will happily sprout again in April. The following precautions ensure undamaged hibernation:
- Do not cut back the rue in autumn
- Cover the root disc with leaves, straw or brushwood
Please put the herb plant in the bucket in a frost-free winter quarters. In this case, a pruning close to the ground - if only for reasons of space - is possible without any problems.
tips
The high content of essential oils requires a little care when planting and tending. If you come into direct contact with the slightly toxic plant sap in direct sunlight, this can result in phototoxic skin irritation in the worst case. Therefore, please wear protective gloves as a precaution.