When frost threatens, pot them up and enjoy them as houseplants in a sunny window until spring. Any container is suitable as long as it has drainage holes. Generally speaking, for almost any garden situation, a plectranthus can be found to fit the bill. P. barbatus var. Plectranthus are not frost-tolerant, but the perennial species will come back in the spring in warm winter locations. Lobster flower is hardy in Zones 9-11, but it is often grown as an annual in other areas. WebPlectranthus caninus: Perennial herb; inflorescence lax basally with at least 1 or 2 spaced fruiting whorls below the flowers; corolla at least 12 mm long Back to 1: 12: 12: Inflorescence 715 cm long, with 512 spaced fruiting whorls below the flowers; corolla 1220 mm long: Plectranthus neochilus These are frost-sensitive plants, so if you're planning to grow indoors, take your cuttings before the first frost. It is also called lobster flower for the clawlike shape of its blue-purple bloom spikes that rise 3-6 inches above the foliage. WebBest with regular and even moisture. Crowding plants can result in fewer blooms and weak growth as the plants compete for light. They contain pungent oils that are used for cooking Great when used as a flavoring for your favorite dishes. These odors are all designed to repel insects, or at least, to keep them from eating the plants. Cat deterring aside, Coleus caninus is an attractive frost-tender perennial plant that forms a neat bush of lush foliage and bears blue flowers in summer. As for Maggie (the dog), she was harder to test, being naturally more excitable, but seemed to show no special reaction when I held a branch in front of her. Indoors, the plants typically remain somewhat shorter. Like other plants in the mint family, it does not set seeds. Standard potting soil mixed with perlite or sand should provide adequate drainage. Not one! It has fuzzy gray-green leaves and bears lavender-purple flowers. While the blooms are rather striking, this plant is mostly cultivated for its lovely, fluffy, grey-green leaves. Become a member of the exclusive club and join the gardening elite! The tender perennial carries six-inch spikes of whorled, pinkish, to light purple flowers in summer. It can be grown as a houseplant. Mouse over pictures for specific credits. Many varieties of plectranthus are quick-growing. Use as an accent or specimen in beds, planters and window boxes. Small pale purple flowers bloom throughout the year. If you notice lower leaves of a plant turning yellow, falling off, and wilting, this may be a sign of root rot. A soaker hose is a great investment for keeping plants healthy and reducing water lost through evaporation. It is important to note that water needs may vary from species to species. In reality there is not much information or very precise about this plant. Neomuellera Briq. Plant the stem cutting and its new roots about an inch deep in the new pot or in the ground. Again, no reaction. Rotate the container and continue to tap, loosening the soil until the plant pulls smoothly from the pot. Plants are tolerant of heat, humidity and some soil dryness. Width: 1 ft. 0 in. Coleus caninus is known as the scaredy cat or scat plant, as its smell is said to deter cats, as well as other mammals including dogs, rabbits, and foxes. Tubular lilac and white flowers bloom during the summer. (2019) listed 72 species. Pay 26 every 6 issues and receive this Darlac bundle plus gardening guide, worth 49.97, 2-for-1 entry to Kew Gardens, Warwick Castle, Leeds Castle and many more, Published: Thursday, 8 September, 2022 at 1:44 pm, Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy, This page contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Determine which application method is best for the situation and select a product with a nutritional balance designed to encourage blooming (such as 5-10-5). I stopped testing after Geisha died, as we no longer have a cat to use as a test subject. WebPlectranthus Seeds. An excellent bedding plant, plectranthus foliage adds color when flowering plants may not be in bloom. The plants need at least 8 hours of dark to grow. Groundcover varieties grow quickly and may be pruned regularly to prevent overgrowing. (1992), Lamiaceae. 1, Wayside Plectranthus does best in organically enriched soil with good drainage, so add compost or other organic amendments if needed. Serving as a Master Flower Show Judge, a Floral Design Instructor, instructor of horticulture for National Garden Clubs, and a University of Florida Master Gardener immerses me in gardening/teaching activities. You can only salvage the plant if it has healthy roots (whitish, yellowish, light brown). Purple Plectranthus in 1.75-Gallon (s) Planter. Place your cutting, cut-end down, in damp soil. Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Root rot and leaf spot may occur. According to popular belief, it will keep away cats away from the garden, but when I placed Geisha next to the plant growing in my flower bed, she ignored it. Plectranthus is a large genus of about 85 species of plants native to the tropical areas of the southern hemisphere. Water the plant. I tested marigolds (Tagetesspp.) illeg. Paton et al. If the first 2-4 (5-10cm) of soil is dry, it is time to water. Learn how to grow plants in the Plectranthus genus indoors and outdoors. Plectranthus verticillatus is a common houseplant. How to Sow and Plant Plectranthus may be grown from seed sown early indoors Sowing Seed Indoors: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost in spring using a seed starting kit Sow seeds shallowly in seed starting formula Keep the soil moist at 70-75 degrees F Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days As an alternative, root the removed stems in a glass of water, making sure to change the water at least once a week. Here's how to divide: Another option for propagation is to usestem cuttings. This attractive plant goes by such common names as moth king Plectranthus, purple Swedish ivy, purple spur flower, and Vicks plant. Check the water, light, and fertilizer and inspect the leaves and stems for insect activity. Year-round temperatures of 60-80 F. Trim off new stem tips regularly to retain compact shape and form. Fuzzy Wuzzy' is a variegated cultivar. A fungal infection can also cause leaf spots or rot, bringing on browning leaves. Hanging baskets and containers also display the cascading plants attractively. Water as needed to keep soil evenly moist, especially in hot weather. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Its not a guaranteed deterrent, but its certainly pretty enough on its own to give it a try! read more, Why do schoolchildren grow marigolds for Mother's Day? For houseplants, from mid spring to fall, fertilize plectranthus with a liquid houseplant fertilizer at half strength. The cultivar Mona Lavender = 'Plepalila' [3] has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Remove flower spikes after bloom. Coleus is a plant from the mint family. Small, insignificant flowers. Most plectranthus can't handle cold temperatures for long periods but can take rare days that drop down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a traditional drink made with ground maize (corn) mixed with cocoa, agave or honey and cinnamon, vanilla and a variety of spices. Caney Township : Liberty Township: Trustee, A. T. keeley, Rt. Plant the seeds shallowly, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep. Clay soils hold moisture longer than sandy soils, so expect to water more frequently in sandy settings.Different plants have different water needs. It is also used sparingly in seasoning mixes. Thulin, M. Some types can handle quite a bit of shade. Or trusting of me? Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' shows off rich purple leaves topped by spikes of lavender-purple flowers. Plectranthus needs to drain adequately after watering. Its stems are thick and square. Here's how: You can start seeds 6 to 8 weeks indoors before the last frost in the spring. A fairly recent introduction is Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender'. Plectranthus argentatus, commonly called silver spurflower, is an upright-spreading, woody-based sub-shrub that is native to Australia. Refer to the plant label to check a plants specific requirements. If your plant is wilting, try giving more water. Good in large patio pots. Obviously much reclassification of the genus has taken place, and even the ubiquitous coleus, until recently known as Solenostemon scutellarioides, is now in the Plectranthus genus. Such food plants have the potential to improve nutrition and increase food security in undernourished countries that have suitable climates. Ideally water should only be applied to the root zone an area roughly 6-12 (15-30cm) from the base of the plant, not the entire plant. Some people believe that certain kinds scare away snakes and repel mosquitoes. In the garden, an organic top dressing is appreciated, as is a monthly application of 10-20-10 fertilizer during the growing season. Firm the soil down around the plant by hand, tamping with the flat side of a small trowel, or even by pressing down on the soil by foot. Be careful not to overwater. Blue spur flower (Plectranthus oertendahlii), also known as speckled spur flower or candlestick plant, is a low-growing selection that is at home in the low light of the forest floor. More information about coleus is available at Dave's Garden. This coaxes some of the longer-blooming types to rebloom and gives all of them a tidier look. The essential oil from the aerial parts of Plectranthus caninus roth (lamiaceae), obtained by hydro-distillation was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (gc/Ms) and evaluated for antimicrobial, free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory activities. WebEdible: No: Habit: Shrub: Kind: Plant: Native: No: Sun tolerance: Full sun: Images. As an annual foliage plant, it normally grows to Winter hardy to USDA Zone 10-11 where it is best grown in rich, humusy, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade. Plectranthus coleoides 'Nicoletta' has large, fuzzy, silvery-gray leaves and purplish stems. Mealybugs are a common pest of plectranthus, along with spider mites and aphids. Plectranthus plants appreciate monthly fertilization during their active growing period, from the spring to the fall. Shrubby varieties look best when cut back and shaped into more dense bushes. A standard 10-20-10 plant fertilizer should be sufficient for most varieties. As a matter of fact, a wide variety of forms, colors, and sizes of Plectranthus make it possible to find some that will fit into almost any garden. Then plant them outdoors once again! Plectranthus is a genus of about 350 species of annuals, evergreen perennials, semi-succulents and shrubs from Africa, Madagascar, Asia, Australasia and Pacific Islands. Plectranthus oertendahlii is a spreading plant that grows just 8 inches tall but can spread up to 3 feet wide. It can be propagated in the springtime by division. It grows 18 inches tall and wide. Dried leaves make a tasty tea. It's also good to pinch off old flower blooms. 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