The mastic is an evergreen shrub that supports practically everything: sea breezes, drought, calcareous soils, and can even survive light frosts. It's a plant that doesn't require any special attention, ideal for low-maintenance gardens and also for growing in pots to decorate the patio or terrace. If you don't want to complicate the care of plants, or if you don't have much time, mastic is a very good option .
Origin and characteristics of the mastic
The mastic, whose scientific name is lentiscus pistachio, It is native to the Mediterranean region, where it grows in dry and stony bushes. It grows to a height of 1 to 5m, although in cultivation it is not usually allowed to grow more than 2m. If there is something that really stands out about this plant, it is its smell: it smells a lot like resin; but do not worry, it is not toxic .
This is a dioecious plant, meaning that there are male feet and female feet. It has leathery, paripinnate, compound leaves with up to 12 deep green leaflets. The flowers are very small and red, and the fruit is a 4 mm diameter drupe that turns black when ripe. If you are interested in learning about other species of Pistacia, we recommend you explore more about them.
What are their cares?
Do you want to have a copy in your garden or patio? Provide the following care:
Location
In cultivation it needs to be in an area where the climate is mild, with a temperature range between 38ºC maximum and -4ºC minimumIf the frosts are more intense, you can take advantage of this and keep it indoors during the winter. It should be placed in a spot with direct sunlight or partial shade. For more information on climates and growing mastic trees, see this link.
Irrigation
It resists drought very well, but not waterlogging. Bearing this in mind, if it is kept on the ground, it should be watered little: once a week; instead, if it is potted, it will be advisable to water it a maximum of two times per week. The importance of irrigation in plant cultivation is vital, so you can consult more here.
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If you are going to have it on the ground, It is not necessary. However, if you're going to keep it in a pot, it's highly recommended to fertilize it from spring to fall with liquid organic fertilizers, with guano being particularly advisable. You can also use seaweed extract occasionally, but don't overdo it, as it's highly alkaline. This type of care is essential for a .
Soil or substrate
It is not demanding, as long as the soil where it will grow has a pH between 6 and 7.5. In acidic soils or substrates, growth will not be optimal due to a lack of calcium, which could affect its development. If you'd like more information about substrates, you can look at this article.
Planting or transplanting time
The ideal time to plant it in the garden will be in spring. If it is grown in a pot, and since it has a rather slow growth, it will be enough to transplant it to a 4-5cm larger pot every 2 years, following this step by step:
- The first thing to do is fill the new pot to a little less than half with universal growing substrate mixed with 30% perlite, washed river sand or similar.
- The mastic is then removed from the »old» pot, tapping the container if necessary so that the plant can come out easily.
- Afterwards, it is introduced into the new pot, in the center. If you see that it is above the edge of the container or very below, remove or add substrate. Ideally, it should be about 0,5cm below so that the water is not lost when watering.
- Finally, the pot is finished filling and it is watered thoroughly.
Pruning
The mastic is a shrub that can be pruned in late winter or early spring to give it the desired shape. However, it's very important to use pruning shears previously disinfected with rubbing alcohol. It's also advisable to seal wounds with healing paste, especially if they occur on lignified (wooden) branches. For more information on pruning, see this link.
Multiplication
- Seeds: they must be sown in spring in a pot with a universal growing medium. Difficult and irregular germination, which can take from 2 to 4 months.
- Cuttings: in autumn or spring branches that measure more than 1cm thick must be cut, the base impregnated with rooting hormones and planted in a pot with a substrate such as vermiculite, which should always be kept slightly damp. If all goes well, the cutting will root after 2 months.
- Aerial layering: in spring a bark ring can be removed from a branch that is 1cm thick or more, moistened with water and impregnated with rooting hormones. Then, all that remains is to wrap it in black plastic filled with moistened black peat. It should look like candy. It will root in approximately 7-8 weeks.
Rusticity
Withstands cold and frost up to -12ºC, and maximum temperatures of up to 40ºC. One of the most interesting plants, without a doubt.
What are the uses of mastic?
- Ornamental: This plant, while very common in Mediterranean countryside, is very decorative and easy to care for. It can be grown in pots or in the garden, as a single specimen or in groups. For more ideas on how to use it in the garden, see How to create an Arabian garden.
- Culinary: an aromatic gum is made from its latex, known as mastic or mastic, which is used as chewing gum.
- Medicinal: It is used in dental medicine to relieve toothache, but also against bleeding wounds or insect bites. In addition, it is used against diarrhea, gonorrhea and leukorrhea, and to relieve the symptoms of gout, rheumatism and pulmonary colds.
Can it be grown as bonsai?
Image - Animabonsai.com
The truth is that yes. As it has such small leaves and an easily controllable growth, the mastic is a suitable plant to be worked as bonsai. The care is as follows:
- Location: outdoors, in full sun or semi-shade.
- Irrigation: frequent, every 2 days in summer and every 5-6 days the rest of the year.
- Subscriber: from spring to early autumn with bonsai fertilizers following the indications specified on the product packaging.
- Substratum: a good mix is 70% akadama with 30% kiryuzuna.
- Transplant: every two years, in spring.
- Wiring: whenever necessary with anodized aluminum wire. You have to check it from time to time to prevent it from digging into the crust.
Where can you buy?
It is a plant that you can find for sale in nurseries, especially those specializing in forest species. They also sell them online. The price will depend on where you buy it and its size, but a 30cm tall specimen generally costs around 4-5 euros.
The mastic is a very ornamental shrub plant that will look great both on the terrace and in your private paradise.
