Consulta Plantas

Care of the indoor plant Plectranthus verticillatus and Swedish Ivy

The genus Plectranthus, family Lamiaceae, comprises 300 species of annual or perennial herbaceous plants native to Australia, Africa, Indonesia, and India. Some species are: Plectranthus verticillatus, Plectranthus coleoides, Plectranthus ciliatus, Plectranthus caninus, Plectranthus zuluensis, Plectranthus oertendahlii, Plectranthus forsteri.

Common names: Swedish Ivy, Swedish begonia, Whorled plectranthus, Money plant, Gossip spurflower. This species is native to Southern Africa.

They are herbaceous evergreen plants that reach 30 cm (11.8") in height. They have attractive bright green, oval, opposite leaves. The flowers are tubular and bilabiate in shape, appear in clusters but are not very decorative.

Swedish Ivy is used as indoor, greenhouse or terrace and balcony plants.

Plectranthus verticillatus needs semi-shady exposure and warm weather. It does not resist temperatures below 15 ºC (59 ºF).

The soil can be a commercial substrate for indoor plants. The transplant is done in spring.

Water frequently in spring and summer so that the substrate is always slightly damp. Reduce watering in fall and water sparingly in winter.

During spring and summer fertilize every 15 days with mineral fertilizer for indoor plants.

Money plant is a quite resistant plant to pests and diseases.

Gossip spurflower is easily propagated by cuttings from late spring to late summer and by division in spring.

Images of the indoor plant Plectranthus verticillatus and Swedish Ivy