Gymnema sylvestre , also known as miracle fruit , sugar destroyer and periploca of the woods , is a member of the family Asclepiadaceae . A woody , vine - similar plant that has many branch , Gymnema sylvestre flourish in semitropic and tropical climate . It is aboriginal to region in Africa , South America and Asia . Considered an important medicinal herb , its use date back thousands of years . Once established , Gymnema sylvestre is hardy and grow well in the lovesome planting areas of the United States .
Step 1
Grow Gymnema sylvestre alfresco in USDA planting zona 9 and 10 . It will maturate well in warm tropic and semitropic region not prone to halt or Robert Frost . The works ’s habit of ontogenesis create it undesirable for container .
Step 2
Plant and get Gymnema sylvestre in well - drain soils deep in humus and organic material . Amend the planting site ’s existing soil with one grip of hommos and cow manure , working it down 1 base . Amend an area of 3 foot in diameter around the plant ’s root ball .
Step 3
Select a mature Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in your landscape painting that is thick and large enough to produce shade , and grow the Gymnema sylvestre nearby . Be certain the tree diagram ’s wood is secure enough to hold up the woody vines . This plant require full shadiness to spring up appropriately .
Step 4
irrigate the planting site around three time per week to keep the field moist but not muddy . Gymnema sylvestre will not tolerate wet infantry but will grow best if the soil is somewhat moist . regularize your watering schedule by your local weather conditions .
Step 5
hold a unused software of compost around the base of the plant in early spring and summer .
Step 6
Mulch the planting site to help the soil retain moisture and stop weed maturation . Apply a fresh app in leap .
Step 7
Fertilize with an all - purpose , granulose 8 - 8 - 8 miscellanea in outflow and late capitulation . propagate the fertilizer three feet in diameter around the pedestal of the Gymnema sylvestre . Water the fertilizer well .
Step 8
rationalize the woody vine to control their size of it and allow the plant to branch out .
Tip
Propagate Gymnema sylvestre by planting seed taken in February through April or by planting cuttings . The industrial plant grow small , lily-livered peak that are umbrella - like .