The Bubblegum Plant – Nature’s Sweet Surprise
When most of us think about bubblegum, we picture brightly coloured, chewy confections that take us back to a childhood filled with large, sticky bubbles and flavours so sweet that our teeth practically chattered. But what if I told you that there is, in fact, a plant that naturally tastes like bubblegum? Enter the bubblegum plant, the strange and wonderful botanical that basically tastes like everyone’s favourite flavour. This ‘holy grail’ of plants is much more than a gimmick, though – it also comes packed with history and culinary uses that transcend the mere novelty of its flavour, with some potential benefits for our health as well. In this article, we’ll discuss the history, characteristics, cultivation and uses of the bubblegum plant, explaining why this plant is worth adding to your collection.
The Origins and Discovery of the Bubblegum Plant
Botanically, the bubblegum plant is known as Pelargonium graveolens. It belongs to the Geraniaceae family (or scented geraniums, to give them their popular name), and is native to the southern regions of Africa – specifically South Africa – where it has long been used in traditional medicine and perfumery, thanks to its scent. The bubblegum aromatic is one of many that has been bred within the species.
The plant acquired the present-day name ‘bubblegum plant’ only in the early 20th century, reflecting its natural smell, which is closely similar to the artificial flavour used in bubblegum. The chemical basis of this natural smell is essential oil present in leaves of this gum plant, which is the source of the sweet fruity flavour. The composition of the oil slightly varies depending on climatic, soil and light exposure conditions in which the plant grows.
European botanists encountered the bubblegum plant along the Cape of Good Hope during expeditions to subtropical Southern Africa during the 17th and 18th centuries, and they were particularly interested in its fragrance. The plant found its way back to Europe, where it joined a long list of other exotic scented plants grown in formal botanical gardens and hothouses. A few years ago, horticulturists decided to hybridise the plant, resulting in a new variety of bubble gum-scented Teucridium. What a rush of nostalgia to grow it.
Characteristics of the Bubblegum Plant
The bubblegum plant is an erect, bushy, perennial shrub that grows up to three feet (about one metre) tall. It has a dense, upright growth habit that usually branches from the base, with large, green, deeply lobed, hairy (or velvety), aromatic foliage that smells when brushed or crushed. Its flowers are small, pink or lavender, produced in large clusters.
The scent of the plant comes from the leaves. If you crush them between your fingers, you’ll find that the leaves smell of bubblegum through a brown, fruity, sweet, slightly minty-smelling haze. These aromas are all There are seven main compounds responsible for the scent – all of them volatile essential oils such as citronellol, geraniol, linalool.
On top of its fragrant attributes, the bubblegum plant is also one of the easiest plants to grow that we carry – making it a handy option for displays both inside the house and outside in the garden. This bulbous perennial produces fragrant clusters of flowers from spring to fall with slightly acidic to neutral pH in full sun to partial shade. Once established, the blueberry chuckles plant is drought-tolerant, but it will benefit from regular watering to ensure the best flowering and aroma production.
Cultivating the Bubblegum Plant: Tips and Tricks
If you want to grow the bubblegum plant, there are some good tips to keep in mind whether you are growing in a garden bed, growing in a container or growing as a house plant. While I mainly have experience growing this type of plant outdoors in a garden bed, the planting instructions are similar.
Soil and Planting
There’s no need to plant bubblegum in deep soil; like many moss plants, it actually prefers to sit atop a generous layer of well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. When adding it to a garden bed, the best practice is to mix amendments such as compost or well-aged manure into the existing soil to improve both texture and fertility. In a container, use a high-quality potting mix with good drainage properties. Bubblegum’s roots are vulnerable to rot if they’re sitting in constantly soggy soil. Make sure container bottoms contain drainage holes, and be wary of overwatering the plants.
Light Requirements
It is sun-loving and likes full sun to part shade, so a sunny windowsill or a balcony or garden spot with a lot of sunlight is best. In particularly hot summers, it can appreciate some afternoon shade, to protect the leaves from scorching. For indoor growth, put your zygoteticarpus by a south- or west-facing window, so that it gets as much sunlight as it desires.
Watering and Fertilization
Though the bubblegum plant is quite drought tolerant, it should be watered regularly, especially in the growing season (spring and summer). Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. In fall and winter, reduce water at a time when the plant’s growth has slowed down. For lush growth and strong fragrance, feed the bubblegum plant with a balanced liquid fertiliser every four to six weeks in the growing season.
Pruning and Maintenance
The bubblegum plant needs regular pruning to pinch back new sideshoots and keep it in shape. You can also pinch out the tips of the stems, which creates bushier growth, and remove dead or yellowing leaves to maintain the plant’s vigour. If the plant becomes leggy, prune back one-third to half its height in early spring, then water and feed well and stand back for a flush of new growth and colourful flowers.
Pests and Diseases
The bubblegum plant has natural resistance to pests and diseases, but you might run into some trouble from aphids, spider mites, or whiteflies, particularly if it’s grown indoors. Treat any of these with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Overwatering can lead to root rot, too, so let the top inch or so of soil dry out completely between waterings.
Uses of the Bubblegum Plant
Like any other plant, the bubblegum plant is a beautiful ornamental that earns extra points for its eye-catching sap and perfumey scent. What makes it unique, though, is how well it transforms into other useful substances. To me, it is an everyman’s plant that I cannot wait to return to in every way.
Culinary Applications
Photo by M Carter/WikimediaBubblegum’s most unusual culinary application 3. The edible use application will be in the kitchen One of the most intriguing applications for the bubblegum plant as an edible is in the kitchen. While the plant is underused as a food ingredient and produces low yields in comparison to fruit or grain crops, its leaves can be utilised to provide the sweet, fruity flavour into many dishes and drinks. For example, the leaves can be added to sugar syrups, jellies, or jams to provide a very subtle bubblegum flavour. They can also be ‘tea bagged’ and infused in hot water to make an aromatic herbal tea that is refreshing and sober. The leaves can also be ‘tea bagged’ and infused in a unique infusion that is much more soothing.
Chefs have also experimented with the leaves to flavour sorbets, ice creams and baked goods. The bubblegum-scented leaves, used sparingly, can be a surprising, fun addition to more traditional desserts and add an unexpected flavour to any cocktail.
Aromatherapy and Perfumery
The richly fragrant essential oils derived from the plant’s leaves are much in demand in aromatherapy and perfumery, being used in natural remedies to alleviate anxiety and promote relaxation and reduce stress, while helping to elevate mood. The sweet fruity smell of the bubblegum plant has made it a popular candidate for aromatherapy diffusers, scented candles and bath products.
For instance, the oil from the bubblegum plant is a middle note in perfume blends, with its soft, sweet nuance enhancing floral and fruity accords. It is also employed by perfumers and formulators due to its compatibility in most perfume compositions and essential oil blends destined for skin-care applications.
Medicinal Properties
Addressing the dearth of research on this plant, she notes its traditional medical use in South Africa and abroad: the essential oils of the Bubblegum plant have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant effects, which could be useful in the treatment of minor skin irritation, infections, and inflammatory diseases.
Its leaves have, however, been used in herbal medicine to make anti-inflammatory and soothing poultices for healing cuts, burns and insect bites. Anecdotally this has proved to be an effective use for the plant, though there is currently little scientific evidence to support it. The bubblegum plant’s long-standing history of medicinal use, nevertheless, suggests that there is therapeutic potential waiting to be discovered.