Indian Sand Mallow/ Bala (Sida cordifolia) - Seeds - Traditional use as a medicinal plant for over 2000 years
20 seeds
€2,10
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Indian Sand Mallow/ Bala (Sida cordifolia) - Seeds - Traditional use as a medicinal plant for over 2000 years
€2,10
Pickup available at Bei der Kirche 3
Usually ready in 24 hours
Indian Sand Mallow, known in Ayurveda as Bala (translated: strength or power), is a fascinating, upright-growing subshrub from the mallow family. It is characterized by its heart-shaped, velvety soft leaves and delicate, pale yellow to orange flowers, which reach a diameter of about 1.5 to 2 cm. These open primarily in the morning hours. In its Asian homeland, it has been valued for thousands of years as a traditional plant. In the home garden or on the balcony, it is a heat-loving, exotic rarity that is perfectly suited for container cultivation.
Scope of delivery: 20/ 100 seeds each
Sowing at a glance
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Preparation: Allow the seeds to swell in lukewarm water for about 12 to 24 hours to accelerate germination.
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Sowing depth: Place the seeds approx. 0.5 cm deep in the substrate and press lightly.
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Germination temperature: Consistent warmth is key to success here, ideally 22 to 26 degrees Celsius.
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Germination period: Usually 1 to 3 weeks. A cover (mini-greenhouse) helps to keep the humidity constantly high.
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Substrate: Well-draining potting soil, preferably loosened with some sand or perlite. Keep constantly slightly moist, but never wet.
Growth habit, height and location Sida cordifolia loves a full sun, warm and sheltered spot. It makes no extreme demands on the soil, but it should be loose and well-draining. It tolerates dry periods quite well, as it forms a strong, deep taproot that can easily reach a length of up to 1 meter in nature. Planted out in its natural habitats, the plant can reach a height of up to 1.5 meters. In a pot or container, it usually grows into a compact, manageable shrub and reaches a height of about 60 to 120 cm.
Container cultivation and overwintering
Since Indian Sand Mallow originates from the tropics and subtropics, it is absolutely not winter hardy in our latitudes. It can either be grown as a fast annual summer plant or cultivated in a pot and kept for several years. For overwintering, it needs a bright, frost-free place at about 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. Watering must be greatly reduced during the winter months to avoid root rot.
Origin
Originally native to India, it has now spread as a heat-loving plant in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
Traditional Use and Special Features
In Ayurvedic culture, Bala is one of the most important and oldest known plants. The name, which translates to strength or power, refers to the historical use of the roots and leaves, which are traditionally used in their homeland for strengthening infusions and extracts.In addition to its significance in Far Eastern natural medicine, the plant also has a very practical, artisanal use. The tough, strongly fibrous stems of Indian Sand Mallow can be processed into durable cords. In many regions of Asia, the dried shoots are also traditionally bundled to make simple but extremely robust brooms.
Important ingredients
Botanically and phytochemically, Indian Sand Mallow is extremely interesting. Among the best-known and most thoroughly researched ingredients of the plant are various alkaloids, especially ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which, among other things, explain the stimulating effect in traditional use. In addition, the plant contains alkaloids such as vasicine and vasicinone as well as various phytosterols, valuable fatty acids, and resins.
Please note: Although the plant has a long history of traditional use, I explicitly offer the seeds here only for cultivation as an ornamental plant and as a botanical collector's item.
Return policy
My goal is for every customer to be completely satisfied with their purchase. If this is not the case, please let me know and I will do my best to find a solution with you.
A 14-day return policy applies.
Shipping
I will ship your order as soon as possible. Once your order has been dispatched, you will receive an email with further information. Delivery times vary depending on your location.
Seeds: 1-3 business days
Plants: 2-5 business days
Please note the availability date for items that are available for pre-order.
General Safety Instructions
In general, all plants and seeds in my shop are not suitable for consumption. Without exception, all items are not sold as food.
Naturally, this does not apply to fruit and vegetables that are harvested by the customer after successful cultivation.
Some plants and seeds contain toxins. Keep out of reach of children and animals.