Plectranthus plants can be set out in the garden in spring after the last frost. Common or English lavender is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses; meanwhile, 'Mona Lavender' is a non-toxic plant with equally beautiful, similar-looking flowers that bloom over a long period. There are many about essential oils derived from plants and used to repel insects, but thats a different story entirely. What plant can Plectranthus replace in the landscape? Trim back as needed to keep neat and compact. Using a sharp, sterile knife cut away any blackened, rotting roots and apply a fungicide. [2]. Center the transplant in the pot and fill fresh soil around it. It is easily propagated by cuttings. Some simply list repellent plants, but offer no proof, and a few seem to take a more studied look at things and suggest that some plants might have repellent characteristics, but at short distances. With many plectranthus plants, foliage takes center stage, adding texture to the garden space. I rubbed a leaf with my fingers and held them in front of her muzzle, she did pull her head back, but then, Geisha never did appreciate anyone invading her personal space. The majority of the plants growth takes place in the spring and summer Itprefers a hot and dry location for the best performance. It grows 28 inches tall and wide. Exceptions to this might be regions with a short growing season, shade plantings which tend to grow slower and fill in less quickly, or a need to fill an area with color quickly such as for a special event or if planning to entertain guests outdoors. Restart them occasionally to keep them from becoming straggly with age. Delightful harbinger of Spring! Any container is suitable as long as it has drainage holes. A member of the mint family, it emits a strong, unpleasant odor that is thought (though without scientific Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks. It grows up to 24 inches tall and wide and rarely blooms. Mealybugs are a common pest of plectranthus, along with spider mites and aphids. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. While some plectranthus can grow in full sun, most prefer a bit of shade, especially in bright afternoon light. While Plectranthus is not a frost-tolerant genus, plants in this genus do well in colder temperatures and even flower during the shorter days of the year. When frost threatens, pot them up and enjoy them as houseplants in a sunny window until spring. Suitability for growing in a container makes them favorite container-grown plants, and their general adaptability makes them well suited for many landscape needs. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Plectranthus&oldid=1139859460, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing potentially dated statements from October 2022, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 17 February 2023, at 07:04. van Jaarsveld, E. (2006). Also, remove damaged leaves to prevent spores from spreading. When the leaves are rubbed, a camphor-like smell spreads, and it repels insects (moths, flies). Recent phylogenetic analysis found Plectranthus to be paraphyletic with respect to Coleus, Solenostemon, Pycnostachys and Anisochilus. Pruning snips can come in handy, helping you cut through straggling roots, if necessary. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Poorly drained soils or containers with inadequate drainage are usually the main reason for root and stem rot. I tested rue (Ruta graveolens) at the same time. Young plants will have succulent stems that become semi-woody as the plant ages. As an annual foliage plant, it typically grows to 2-3' tall and to 3' wide. Plectranthus argentatus, commonly called silver spurflower, is an upright-spreading, woody-based sub-shrub that is native to Australia. When grown outdoors, plectranthus plants attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. The stems grow outward from the center of the plant, making a great groundcover. Gray-green, rounded, slightly scalloped leaves are attractive, but the skunk-like aroma carries for quite a distance on hot, sunny days. These plants are similar to succulents and can handle short droughts from time to time. Some plants prefer staying on the dry side, others like to be consistently moist. It grows in tropical regions of Asia such as Nepal, India, and Thailand. 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. They do best in locations that provide partial shade, although some species can grow in full sun. These plants root easily from cuttings and tolerate mild drought conditions and full sun. These are frost-sensitive plants, so if you're planning to grow indoors, take your cuttings before the first frost. Plectranthus coleoides 'Nicoletta' has large, fuzzy, silvery-gray leaves and purplish stems. Equilabium was segregated from Plectranthus, after phylogenetic studies supported its recognition as a phylogenetically distinct genus. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. While some smell pleasant, others have a pungent scent when crushed. - 1 ft. 6 in. For example, the blue spur flower is an aggressive spreader, sending out offshoots under the soil. Generally speaking, for almost any garden situation, a plectranthus can be found to fit the bill. Plectranthus amboinicus 'Ochre Flame' is a highly ornamental form of Cuban oregano. Or trusting of me? Australia: c. 28 species (22 species endemic, 6 species naturalized), mainland States. Become a member of the exclusive club and join the gardening elite! NC State Extension. A standard 10-20-10 plant fertilizer should be sufficient for most varieties. Since it is not listed on the GRIN website, it may have been reclassified. Refer to the plant label to check a plants specific requirements. An almost infinite number of leaf color combinations are available I have seen zero serious studies on the subject. While waiting for the roots to form, replenish the filtered water every few days to keep the water line consistent. Plectranthus amboinicus. It is a traditional drink made with ground maize (corn) mixed with cocoa, agave or honey and cinnamon, vanilla and a variety of spices. Sunburn can cause leaves to curl, turn brown, and dry up. Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides)-Downy Mildew. They're vigorous growers and prolific bloomers from mid spring through late fall. N.C. Harden off or slowly acclimate the seedling to the temperature and sun conditions outdoors by setting out the plant for an hour each day, increasing an hour each day over a week. Remove several sets of leaves above the new cut, leaving one to two sets of leaves above that and place the stem in moist soil. Please read our, Is not known to attract Beneficial insects, Is not known to attract Butterflies/Moths, Is not known to attract Other pollinators, Other names that this plant may be sold under are. Lowe's. Small, insignificant flowers. The soil covering the planting hole should be even with the surrounding soil, or up to one inch higher than the top of the root ball. One seller even invented a detailed background for the plant, claiming its a hybrid developed by an Australian amateur gardener by crossing a plectranthus with acoleus, although, in fact,Plectranthuscaninushas beengrowing wild in Africa and India for hundreds of thousands of years. Fawn Creek Township is in Montgomery County. 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. Thulin, M. A few years ago, I tested a few of these plants on my own pets: my cat Geisha (may she rest in peace) and my dog Maggie, just for the fun of it. Wave petunias have made this plant even more popular. It can be grown as a houseplant in a sunny window. On the few sites when there did seem to be some sort of proof, either positive or negative, it always seems to be purely anecdotal, like: Well, I grow plant X in my garden and I dont have a cat problem. Yes, but neither do many gardeners who dont knowingly grow repellent plants. Plants are intolerant of frost. A fairly recent introduction is Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender'. Dark-green elongated, oval, sharp-tipped, fuzzy leaves with serrated edges are attractive, particularly when purplish new leaves are present. Ovary deeply 4-lobed; style gynobasic; stigma 2-fid. [1], A plant sold under the name "Coleus canina" or "scaredy cat plant" is supposed to scare off cats and dogs. Grasping the plant at the top of the root ball, use your finger to lightly rake the roots apart. Wonderful for combination plantings. They flower in the fall, continue through winter in zones where they are hardy, and bloom until spring. Some people believe that certain kinds scare away snakes and repel mosquitoes. I was looking for proof that planting certain plants in a garden setting would keep pets away for an entire season, if not longer! Plectranthus needs to drain adequately after watering. Width: 1 ft. 0 in. Its promoters claim it will keep dogs, cats and other mammals (raccoons, rabbits, etc.) 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. Full sun can burn the leaves. Plants are tolerant of heat, humidity and some soil dryness. According to: Conn, B.J. Water the plant. If you wonder why your plants are not blooming, make sure your plants get no more than 12 hours of light since day length affects flowering. It makes an easy-care houseplant or a low-maintenance herb. Burnatastrum Briq. Plectranthus are not frost-tolerant, but the perennial species will come back in the spring in warm winter locations. Called by various trade names, including Scaredy Cat, Piss-off Plant, Dogs Gone or Bunnies Gone, it was said to be Coleus canina, It didnt take much digging to discover its real name is Plectranthus caninus: an honest mistake, as the two plants are closely related. Once established, Coleus caninus tolerates drought and is easy to grow, needing little attention apart from pruning stems that become straggly (wear gloves, as pruning releases the plants unpleasant smell). (ed.) Tubular lilac and white flowers bloom during the summer. Good in large patio pots. It is important to note that water needs may vary from species to species. Common names include spur-flower. Color choices are nearly limitless, with some sporting beautiful veining and intriguing hues. illeg. Garden writer and blogger, author of 65 gardening books, lecturer and communicator, the Laidback Gardener, Larry Hodgson, passed away in October 2022. Pale blue to violet blue flowers form lavender-like spires and are borne through summer, although not in the same abundance as lavender. Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Ground Cover Herbaceous Perennial Houseplant Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Broadleaf Evergreen Habit/Form: Horizontal Mounding Spreading Growth Rate: Rapid Maintenance: Medium Texture: Medium Cultural Conditions: It's important to recognize signs that your plant is having some issues. If you notice lower leaves of a plant turning yellow, falling off, and wilting, this may be a sign of root rot. Ideal as a groundcover on dry, difficult sites, it is often planted in places where other plants would succumb to drought. Still, I must admit the experiences didnt lead me to think very favorably about animal repellent plants! Others do well in eastern or western exposures, but only the most shade tolerant will thrive in northern windows. NC State University and N.C. 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