Plectranthus australis

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Plectranthus australis

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Kemper Code: B648

Common Name: Swedish ivy
Zone: 10 to 11
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Lamiaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: South Africa
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 2 to 3 feet
Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
Bloom Color: White to pale purple
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low

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Plant Culture and Characteristics

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Uses:		Wildlife:	Flowers:	Leaves:	Fruit:
Hedge	Suitable as annual	Attracts birds	Has showy flowers	Leaves colorful	Has showy fruit
Shade tree	Culinary herb	Attracts	Has fragrant flowers	Leaves fragrant	Fruit edible
Street tree	Vegetable	hummingbirds	Flowers not showy	Good fall color	Other:
Flowering tree	Water garden plant	Attracts	Good cut flower	Evergreen	Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1')	Will naturalize	butterflies	Good dried flower		Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Winter hardy to USDA Zone 10-11 where it is easily grown in humusy, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade. Best performance occurs in light shade or sun dappled areas, with regular and even moisture. In full sun, plants tend to remain compact. Avoid poorly drained clay soils. Plants are intolerant of frost. Trim off new stem tips regularly to retain compact shape and to encourage branching. Remove flower spikes after bloom. In St. Louis, this plant may be grown in containers as a houseplant in bright, mostly sunny exposures. Containers may be taken outside in summer but must be overwintered indoors. This plant is also commonly grown as an annual where it can be incorporated into mixed containers and hanging baskets. It is a low-maintenance plant that is easily propagated by cuttings, and is often shared with other gardeners by cuttings.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Plectranthus australis, commonly called Swedish ivy is a fast-growing, evergreen perennial that is native to South Africa. It typically grows to 2-3’ tall on erect stems that trail and spread as they mature. Stems are clad with broad-ovate, glossy green leaves (to 1.5” long) with crenate margins. White to pale purple flowers bloom in racemes (to 8” long) on and off throughout the year. Genus name comes from the Greek words plektron (spur) and anthos (flower) in reference to the basal spur found on plant flowers. Some nomenclature and common name confusion surrounds the plant commonly referred to in commerce as Swedish ivy. It should be noted that The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) lists Plectranthus australis as a misapplied synonym of Plectranthus verticillatus.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for mealybugs and spider mites. Leaf spots and root rot may occur.

Uses:

Borders where winter hardy. Containers or hanging baskets for decks or patios. Houseplant.