Plectranthus

Plectranthus

Common name: Plectranthus, Mintleaf

Family: Lamiaceae (Mint)

Height x width: 1-3' x 1-3'

Growth habit: upright to trailing, depending on species

Growth rate: rapid

Foliage: varies with species, generally ovate, 1-4 inches long, scalloped edges, green to variegated to silvery, usually hairy, some with purplish undersides

Flowers: generally a terminal raceme, florets generally blue to white, not main show of this genus

Hardiness: USDA zone 10

Soil: well-drained, somewhat fertile

Light: part shade north to filtered sun south, may tolerate full sun depending on species and if sufficient moisture; the more hairs and color, the more light needed; more light needed for upright than for trailing species

Pests and Problems: few, possibly aphids or spider mites indoors

Landscape habit, uses: container or border accent for foliage, trailing species hanging

Other interest: native to Africa, Asia, Australia depending on species

Other culture: give most light possible during winter, water sparingly during winter, prune to keep in shape or keep potbound if in containers (but may require more watering if so); branches on upright species may be brittle so a protected location from wind may be best

Propagation: softwood cuttings of upright species, rooted branches of trailing species, seeds

Species: of the 350 species, the following are the most common for garden use; Swedish Ivy (australis) is a common indoor hanging basket plant

amboinicus (am-boy-in' i'cuss)--spreading; hairy, ovate, aromatic leaves to 2 inches long, finely scalloped margins; dense spikes of lilac, mauve or white flowers
behrii: fruticosus
argentatus (are-gen-tah' tuss)--more erect than spreading; silver-hairy stems, densely pubescent grey-green leaves, ovate 2-4 inches long, scalloped margins; terminal racemes of pale blue-white
coleoides: forsteri
forsteri (coleoides)(for' ster-ii)--upright eventually trailing; ovate, light green, hairy leaves 2-4 inches long, scalloped margins; terminal racemes of mauve to white flowers
fruticosus (behrii)(fru-ti-co' suss)--upright 4-6ft. tall; ovate leaves, crenate to dentate margins, only slightly hairy, tinted purple; blue to pink flowers, often purple spots on upper lip, in cymes
madagascariensis (ma-da-gas-car-ee-en' siss)--creeping; square brown stems, rounded, scalloped leaves to 1.5 inches long, sometimes wrinkled, covered with white bristles; leaves smell like mint when crushed, hence the common name of Mintleaf; terminal spikes of lavender, blue or white flowers, whorled, often dotted with glands

'Variegated Mintleaf'--mainly found in this white variegated cultivar

naiadensis (naa-den' siss)--upright; lime green hairy leaves, heart shaped, strongly scalloped edge; maroon flower spikes with silvery buds, white flowers with purple lines
oertendahlii (oar-ten-dall' ee-ii)--trailing, reddish purple stems; ovate to rounded, scalloped bronze green leaves to 1.5 inches long, purple hairy beneath; terminal racemes of white or blue flowers

Cultivars: although mainly found as species, the following are also in trade

Cultivar	species	foliage	other
'Aureo-marginata'	argentatus	yellow edges, trailing
'Ochre Flame'	amboinicus	chartreuse, lime, scalloped edges
'Jamesii'	fruticosus	bright green, burgundy backs and stems	tiny attractive fls.
'Longwood Silver'	argentatus	silvery, similar to species
'Marginatus'	forsteri	cream variegated, scalloped edges	tiny white fls
'Nana'	amboinicus	compact
'Variegated'	amboinicus	lime green, bright yellow, fragrant	Spanish Thyme
'Variegatus'	oertendahlii	green bronze, silvery edges
'Vick's Plant'	amboinicus	fragrant as Vick's vaporub

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