Tired of spending your days “weeding”? The time may have come to reconcile with its unloved plants and more specifically with one of them: the plantain. Because contrary to popular belief, this plant comes in handy in the garden. We explain why.
Plantain, what is it?
Plantain is said in Latin plantago, that is, “plant that acts”. And when we call it that, it’s because its properties are many, both for our health and for biodiversity. There are about 200 different species spread around the world and they grow everywhere in nature, even in our gardens. If you are a fan of gardening, know that the plantain is not your enemy, on the contrary, it can even become your natural ally in the garden.
Why plantain is useful in the garden?
An indicator of the nature of the soil
Did you know that with plantain you can better understand what is happening in your soil? It is not always clear whether your soil is sandy, clayey or loamy. But thanks to this undeservedly unloved plant, your country no longer holds any secrets for you. And it is not without reason that the plantain, like many “weeds”, is a bio-indicator plant for the nature of the soil. Its presence in your garden indicates that your soil is in equilibrium (in terms of pH and carbon-nitrogen ratio) and that it has good microbial activity in the presence of oxygen.
A nourishing plant for biodiversity
Plantain will not only help you diagnose your soil, but will also help you turn your garden into a haven for insects and birds. Indeed, birds, such as greenfinch and goldfinches, love its seeds. The same goes for caterpillars and butterflies. So grow the plantains in the garden to preserve these different varieties.
Did you like this article? Discover three unsuspected benefits of plantain, this plant that is wrongly unloved by gardeners.