Lindsey Caldwell
USDA Zones: 9 to 11, *can be grown colder zones in container
Difficulty: Moderate
Planting Season: Spring and early summer (anytime in tropics)
Other Names: Wild pepper, kadok, bai cha plu, daun kaduk, betel pepper, la lot, paan, piper betle
Growing Habit
Plant’s primary stem grows up to 1 m. long, after that it forms creeping stems having heart-shaped leaves that contain mild scent and exotic white spike-like flowers. It can be either trained as a climber or grown as a ground cover.
Propagation & Planting Betel Plant
It’s better if you buy a plant from a nursery, however, if you want to propagate it from cuttings, take about 18 cm long stem. Make 45 degrees cut using a sharp knife just below the leaf node. Remove all leaves from the cutting except top 2 leaves. Put the cutting in a glass of fresh water and place it on a spot like a windowsill in indirect sunlight. Keep changing the water every 2 days. Once several roots appear, transplant it into a deep container or in ground.
Requirements for Growing Betel Leaf Plant (Paan)
It prefers slightly acidic, sandy-loamy and lightly damp soil but not water logged. Use the well drained potting mix to plant it in a way that water will drain out from it quickly. Pick a less windy spot with partial shade for planting. *Choose a medium size deep planter if you’re growing it in the container.
Betel Leaf Care
1. It thrives well in a hot and humid environment in partial shade. The betel plant needs regular watering.
2. Prune regularly after it reaches 2 m. height to control the plant, regular pruning, and plucking of leaves encourages new growth and sweet and tender leaves.
3. Occasional feeding in every couple of month in growing season of the plant with nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer like manure or compost is recommended.
4. (In cold climate) Keep it indoors in winters when the temperature starts to fall below 41F (5C) in a warm and cozy room under grow light. It becomes dormant in brutal cold and sometimes shed its leaves too, but get to grow again in spring and remain in growth until fall.
Pests and Diseases
It’s not pest free completely and attacked by red mites occasionally, which can be treated with insecticidal soap. It also suffers from fungal diseases, especially in rainy season or when overwatering is done. To save the plant, watering should be reduced. Leaf blight is another problem which affects betel plant in which brown and black oily patches cover the leaf. Leaf blight can be treated by simply pulling off the infected leaf or stem.
Harvest
Within four to six months after planting, it’ll be ready for harvest. You can pick off its fresh aromatic leaves for various uses.
Betel Leaf Plant Medicinal Uses
Betel leaf is a rare herb for rest of the world except Asia, though it has many medicinal benefits. Its leaves are especially helpful for clearing the bronchial passages, cough, and cold and for the female reproductive system.
Difficulty: Moderate
Planting Season: Spring and early summer (anytime in tropics)
Other Names: Wild pepper, kadok, bai cha plu, daun kaduk, betel pepper, la lot, paan, piper betle
Growing Habit
Plant’s primary stem grows up to 1 m. long, after that it forms creeping stems having heart-shaped leaves that contain mild scent and exotic white spike-like flowers. It can be either trained as a climber or grown as a ground cover.
Propagation & Planting Betel Plant
It’s better if you buy a plant from a nursery, however, if you want to propagate it from cuttings, take about 18 cm long stem. Make 45 degrees cut using a sharp knife just below the leaf node. Remove all leaves from the cutting except top 2 leaves. Put the cutting in a glass of fresh water and place it on a spot like a windowsill in indirect sunlight. Keep changing the water every 2 days. Once several roots appear, transplant it into a deep container or in ground.
Requirements for Growing Betel Leaf Plant (Paan)
It prefers slightly acidic, sandy-loamy and lightly damp soil but not water logged. Use the well drained potting mix to plant it in a way that water will drain out from it quickly. Pick a less windy spot with partial shade for planting. *Choose a medium size deep planter if you’re growing it in the container.
Betel Leaf Care
1. It thrives well in a hot and humid environment in partial shade. The betel plant needs regular watering.
2. Prune regularly after it reaches 2 m. height to control the plant, regular pruning, and plucking of leaves encourages new growth and sweet and tender leaves.
3. Occasional feeding in every couple of month in growing season of the plant with nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer like manure or compost is recommended.
4. (In cold climate) Keep it indoors in winters when the temperature starts to fall below 41F (5C) in a warm and cozy room under grow light. It becomes dormant in brutal cold and sometimes shed its leaves too, but get to grow again in spring and remain in growth until fall.
Pests and Diseases
It’s not pest free completely and attacked by red mites occasionally, which can be treated with insecticidal soap. It also suffers from fungal diseases, especially in rainy season or when overwatering is done. To save the plant, watering should be reduced. Leaf blight is another problem which affects betel plant in which brown and black oily patches cover the leaf. Leaf blight can be treated by simply pulling off the infected leaf or stem.
Harvest
Within four to six months after planting, it’ll be ready for harvest. You can pick off its fresh aromatic leaves for various uses.
Betel Leaf Plant Medicinal Uses
Betel leaf is a rare herb for rest of the world except Asia, though it has many medicinal benefits. Its leaves are especially helpful for clearing the bronchial passages, cough, and cold and for the female reproductive system.
