S3 EPISODE 2 – Herbal Houseplants

“ Plant an Herb and grow a friend,” says author and expert herbalist Susan Betz in this interview about herbs and her new book Herbal Houseplants.

 

“… And when you look at different cultures, they might take the same plant and use it in a lot of different ways than another culture might use it. So [herbs are] just very diverse plants and they’re very helpful plants.”

 

Susan Betz loves Chamomile and Marjoram and has recently discovered the benefits of Lemon Leaf. “One [herb] that I discovered from Richter’s catalog is called lemon leaf. And I wrote about it in my book, but I had never heard about this plant before…. you can actually use it to make a lemon syrup, a herbal simple syrup.”

 

Susan’s “Kitchen Horticulture” recipe to spray plants in fall before they are brought indoors or whenever you have scale is : 1 gallon (4 litres) distilled water, 1/2 cup (120 ml) Isopropyl alcohol, 1 cup Ammonia (240 ml) and 1 1/2 tsp (7 ml) Dawn dish soap mixed together. Move into a spray bottle and mist plants as needed.

 

For aphids, fungus gnats and spider mites Susan uses Hydrogen peroxide about once a month mixed with distilled water at a ratio of 2 tablespoons (3% Hydrogen peroxide) to 2 cups water. She either waters plants with it or mists it over leaves affected with mites and aphids. Mixture can be capped and stored at room temperature.

 

For more info:

 

Website: https://www.freshstartherbs.org/

 

Instagram: @Susanbetzherbs

 

Source for Lemon Leaf (Plectranthus): https://www.richters.com/Web_store/web_store.cgi?product=X3686&show=&prodclass=Herb_and_Vegetable_Plants&cart_id=111.100

 

Renee’s Garden Seeds: (Susan mentions them as a good source of Basil.) https://www.reneesgarden.com/