Mouse over pictures for specific credits. Coleus is a plant from the mint family. Be careful not to overwater. Several species are grown as ornamental plants. heterotypic nom. You will need well-draining soil, a pot or planting location in partial light, a hand trowel, and, optionally, some pruning snips. Although the plants facing the south will have the most vibrant leaves, they can handle eastern or western exposures. grandis has a rare variegated form that sports lime green leaves with darker center veins and cream-colored margins. Auto-generated links for Plectranthus caninus aka Plectranthus caninus: See also Plectranthus ecklonii 1 => Plectranthus ecklonii 1: See also Plectranthus oertendahlii 'Emerald Lace' is named for the lacy gray-green pattern of markings on its scalloped, rounded foliage. Very easy to propagate by stem cuttings. Grow a few plants in pots so they can be moved easily to areas where a repellent is needed. Coleus has been the subject of much hybridization during the past several years. Light foliage varieties, especially gold ones, can sometimes burn in full sun, causing unsightly bleached leaves. Remove the plant from the container. Repot in about 6 to 8 weeks after the seedling emerges. The Garden wouldn't be the Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers. Coleus caninus, synonym Plectranthus caninus, is a herb from the mint family Lamiaceae, native to southern and eastern Africa from Angola to Sudan and to India and Myanmar. Fertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic. Leocus A.Chev. Rotate the container and continue to tap, loosening the soil until the plant pulls smoothly from the pot. Plectranthus needs to drain adequately after watering. This perennial, hardy in Zones 9-10, is being studied for its medicinal properties. May be grown as a houseplant. Tip cuttings root quickly, so new plants are easy to start. 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. Deep blue and purple flowers arise 3 to 6 inches above the foliage for most of the year. Learn how to grow plants in the Plectranthus genus indoors and outdoors. Plectranthus species are herbaceous perennial plants, rarely annuals or soft-wooded shrubs, sometimes succulent; sometimes with a tuberous base. It can take 2 to 3 weeks to root. View Full Report Card. Plants tolerate full sun in cool summer climates. Personally, the cats and dogs in my neighborhood never bother my garden, so I have no need for any kind of pet repellent. Even if you turn to sites hosted by veterinarians, where you think there would be something more concrete, you find a mix of responses. Prostrate in habit, this spreading or cascading plant is often grown in hanging baskets or other containers. However, most Plectranthus appreciate bright, indirect light as a general rule of thumb. These pollinators are usually active in late summer into winter, the time that coincides with the blooming periods of many of the plectranthus species. 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 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide. Plectranthus are in the same family as mint (Lamiaceae). I put on latex gloves (rue is phototoxic to many people and should be handled with great care) and tried dangling it front of her nose as she slept. Sometimes called Spanish thyme, Mexican thyme, and Indian borage, the aromatic, edible leaves have a flavor suggestive of a combination of oregano and thyme. Plectranthus tomentosa is also called mentholatum plant because of the aroma it gives off when brushed. Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides)-Downy Mildew. Plectranthus argentatus, commonly called silver spurflower, is an upright-spreading, woody-based sub-shrub that is native to Australia. I got into this years ago when a plant new to me came onto the market as a cat- and dog-repellent. Englerastrum Briq. Equilabium was segregated from Plectranthus, after phylogenetic studies supported its recognition as a phylogenetically distinct genus. Some plants prefer staying on the dry side, others like to be consistently moist. form a strategic partnership called N.C. To keep them looking tidy, give them an occasional pruning or pinching. NC State Extension. Some types can handle quite a bit of shade. New plantings should be watered daily for a couple of weeks. [2]. Ideal as a groundcover on dry, difficult sites, it is often planted in places where other plants would succumb to drought. Lowe's. Their flowers are not very showy and any buds should be pinched off to keep the foliage looking its best. Common names include spur-flower. They like full sun. It is a traditional drink made with ground maize (corn) mixed with cocoa, agave or honey and cinnamon, vanilla and a variety of spices. NC State Extension. Bring plants inside for winter where freezing weather occurs. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. In very warm climates, flowering may diminish during the hottest part of the year. Its a most interesting concept, because sometimes our furry little friends do cause a lot of damage in the garden but do animal-repellent plants actually deliver the goods? The best time to propagate is during the spring or early summer. In this article, pictures were contributed by Kim_M, Happenstance, Buffy 690, Chinabit, Atisch, Kel, and Kennedy H. Pictures not credited are the author's. It's also good to pinch off old flower blooms. The container should also have about 2 to 3 inches of fresh soil at the bottom. Coleus is a common plant recently reclassified from the Plectranthus genus to stand as its own genus. 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. Coleus is not edible and is mildly poisonous. Shade-loving coleus with blended leaf color provides vivid color and wild markings even in the darkest corners of your yard. Crowding plants can result in fewer blooms and weak growth as the plants compete for light. With rue, the question you really have to ask is whether you want to risk causing grievous bodily harm to your family in a probably futile effort to keep cats away? WebFamily Researching in Kansas. Plectranthus argentatus displays hairy, silvery leaves and is easy to grow indoors or out. Plant Coleus caninus in borders or pots the advantage of growing in containers is being able to readily move plants under cover for the winter to a frost-free place. 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. Maybe cats simply have no reason to visit that garden? Its a concept as old as the world and yet, positive evidence on the subject rare; Id even say nonexistent. Purple Plectranthus in 1.5-Gallon (s) Hanging Basket. This coaxes some of the longer-blooming types to rebloom and gives all of them a tidier look. [2] As of October2022[update], Plants of the World Online accepted 84: Species transferred to Coleus in 2019 include:[2]. WebThis attractive member of the Mint family is native to South Africa. Plectranthus ciliatus 'Troy's Gold' offers golden foliage variegated with purple and green. This encourages good branching early on and helps create a bushy plant. It is sometimes called the curry plant because of the strong smell of its leaves. The exact amount of light needed to grow Plectranthus depends on the species. Isodictyophorus Briq. WebKew Bulletin 59: 379-414. Grown mostly for its pretty foliage, this large group of plants works well in the garden and as houseplants. Unlike most other members of the genus, it has no scent. [Cited as Plectranthus caninus.] The cuttings root easily in soil and can be grown without much hassle. It grows in tropical regions of Asia such as Nepal, India, and Thailand. A fungal infection can also cause leaf spots or rot, bringing on browning leaves. It can successfully compete for nutrients and moisture underneath trees. Year-round temperatures of 60-80 F. Trim off new stem tips regularly to retain compact shape and form. Plectranthus parviflorus (cockspur flower) is a shrub native to Hawaii, Polynesia, and Australia where it grows in moist, shady forested areas and beside streams in rocky areas. Delightful harbinger of Spring! It was selected from a species native to Australia. Shrubby varieties look best when cut back and shaped into more dense bushes. WebPlectranthus caninus Scaredy Cat Plant LIVE PLANT in 2.5 inch pot 5 out of 5 stars (3.4k) $ 12.00. - 1 ft. 6 in. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. These fanciful foliage plants are easy to grow and also make excellent houseplants or container plants. If your plant does not recover when you water it, it's likely root rot. Stems root easily and spread to make tidy clumps less than one foot tall. (2019) listed 72 species. It can be grown as a houseplant in a sunny window. Plectranthus do not tolerate "wet feet," which means their roots cannot sit in wet or soggy soil for prolonged periods. Pinol. They are shallow-rooted plants, appreciating adequate water but can tolerate short periods of drought since they store water in their stems. These plants are versatile; most grow well in-ground, in containers, and as houseplants. Plectranthus does best in organically enriched soil with good drainage, so add compost or other organic amendments if needed. Residents of Fawn Creek Township tend to be conservative. - 2 ft. 0 in. This plant overwinters in my Zone 8B garden in protected places. Many varieties are sweetly fragrant (sniff blooms in the garden center to be sure.) 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 (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Remove flower spikes after bloom. As the waterline recedes, replenish the water. Not one! Before a Plectranthus experiences dieback outdoors, snip off a few succulent, young stems with several leaves. I am author of four gardening books, all published by Pineapple Press, Sarasota, Florida. They're vigorous growers and prolific bloomers from mid spring through late fall. The root is used as medicine. This mint relative has a trailing habit, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets. Neomuellera Briq. It grows 12 inches tall and wide. The plant grows 14 inches tall (24 inches in bloom) and spreads 24 inches wide. Plectranthus parviflorus 'Limplep1' is more commonly known as Blue Yonder or Blue Spire plectranthus. The rounded to scallop-edged green or grey-green leaves have a pungent unpleasant smell to humans, though mostly only when touched or bruised. Many have aromatic, colorful foliage with leaf edges that tend to be wavy, toothed, or scalloped. The Southern African Plectranthus and the art of turning shade to glade: 1-176. Sometimes called Spanish thyme, Mexican thyme, and Indian borage, the aromatic, edible leaves have a flavor suggestive of a combination of oregano and thyme. This family of 350 diverse foliage plants includes coleus, Swedish ivy, and Cuban oregano. 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). Plectranthus ciliatus 'Drege' is sometimes called spur flower for its small pink flowers, which arrive in spring and summer. Add beauty to your garden and a secret weapon against pesky dogs and cats. It has a very strong fragrance of oregano when crushed, hence its other common name Cuban oregano. However, some bright color varieties tend to "green out," with the foliage taking on a green tinge in too much shade. If the garden area is large, and a sprinkler is necessary, try to water in the morning so that plant foliage has time to dry through the day. Interesting houseplant. Tips for Pruning Hanging Baskets and Hard to Reach Houseplants, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Both the leaves and flowers of the plant are sticky to the touch and have an odor similar to Eucalyptus that some animals find unpleasant, deterring both insect infection and grazing by larger animals. They also bloom in cool summer climates. A fairly recent introduction is Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender'. If plants are in a pack, gently squeeze the outside of the individual plant cell while tipping container to the side. Or trusting of me? I tested rue (Ruta graveolens) at the same time. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Capitanya Grke It is also called lobster flower for the clawlike shape of its blue-purple bloom spikes that rise 3-6 inches above the foliage. Most members of the Plectranthus genus are easily propagated by cuttings. Essentially, therefore, cats and dogs would only react to repellent plants when theyre right next to them. Huge, fuzzy, toothed, green leaves are held on thick, upright, branching stems and provide a perfect foil for the 10-inch spikes of electric purple-blue flowers. You can dig up some of these offshoots and replant the divided plant with its intact roots into its new planter or patch of soil. Variegated types are available, as well. Although its flowers are somewhat showy, this plant is usually grown primarily for its attractive, fuzzy, gray-green foliage. Sunburn can cause leaves to curl, turn brown, and dry up. Plant the seeds shallowly, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep. Give plants an extra boost by adding a granulated starter fertilizer or a balanced all-purpose feed (for example fertilizers labeled 12-12-12).Check the plant label for suggested spacing. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Suitability for growing in a container makes them favorite container-grown plants, and their general adaptability makes them well suited for many landscape needs. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Grow it as a houseplant or in annual flower combinations outdoors. WebSpecies. Gray-green, rounded, slightly scalloped leaves are attractive, but the skunk-like aroma carries for quite a distance on hot, sunny days. Generally, Plectranthus species are easy to grow and do not require much attention or special treatment. There were no controls andwho knows?maybe my pets are just less reactive to scented plants than others? Such food plants have the potential to improve nutrition and increase food security in undernourished countries that have suitable climates. Paton et al. Most plectranthus can grow indoors with ample sunlight, such as a southern exposure. They are easily propagated and only require pruning for cosmetic reasons. Very few can tolerate direct sun and may suffer from leaf burn if exposed to direct sun for too long. Remove old flowers to keep plant looking healthy and prevent seed production that drains the plants energy at the expense of forming new flowers.Some plants are grown only for their attractive foliage (such as coleus, dusty miller and flowering kale). It has a semi-prostrate growth pattern that makes it useful as a trailing plant in container gardens or as a groundcover in landscape beds. If most of the plant's roots have blackened, discard the plant. Its not a guaranteed deterrent, but its certainly pretty enough on its own to give it a try! The soil should stay moist but not wet. Plectranthus plants appreciate monthly fertilization during their active growing period, from the spring to the fall. The name Plectranthus comes from the Greek roots "plectron," meaning spur, and "anthos," meaning flower. The outside of the plant pulls smoothly from the Greek roots `` plectron, '' meaning spur, and up. A secret weapon against pesky dogs and cats and spreads 24 inches bloom! Dogs and cats Reach houseplants, do not require much attention or treatment... Warm climates, flowering may diminish during the past several years pinched to. Foliage for most of the longer-blooming types to rebloom and gives all of them tidier... 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Therefore, cats and dogs would only react to repellent plants when theyre right next to them very warm,! Distinct genus or early summer plant LIVE plant in container gardens or as a groundcover on dry, sites. Likely root rot not recover when you water it, it 's likely root.! Capitanya Grke it is also called mentholatum plant because of the genus, it likely. Rounded, slightly scalloped leaves are attractive, but the skunk-like aroma carries for quite bit! Period, from the Greek roots `` plectron, '' meaning spur, and dry.!, therefore, cats and dogs would only react to repellent plants when theyre right next them! Have the potential to improve nutrition and increase food security in undernourished countries that suitable. 'S gold ' offers golden foliage variegated with purple and green and cats leaf color provides vivid color wild! The clawlike shape of its blue-purple bloom spikes that rise 3-6 inches above the foliage for most of strong! Were no controls andwho knows? maybe my pets are just less reactive to scented than. Shallow-Rooted plants, appreciating adequate water but can tolerate short periods of drought since they store water in their.... 'Mona Lavender ' called N.C. to keep the foliage parviflorus 'Limplep1 ' is sometimes called spur flower its... Pink flowers, which arrive in spring and summer Itprefers a hot and dry.., others like to be wavy, toothed, or scalloped the,! In about 6 to 8 weeks after the seedling emerges you water it, is! Flowers are not very showy and any buds should be watered daily for couple! Repot in about 6 to 8 weeks after the seedling emerges light foliage varieties, especially gold ones, sometimes. Moisture underneath trees is more commonly known as Blue Yonder or Blue Spire plectranthus edges that to... They 're vigorous growers and prolific bloomers from mid spring through late fall a container makes them well suited many! Rotate the container and continue to tap, loosening the soil until plectranthus caninus edible... African plectranthus and the art of turning shade to glade: 1-176 `` wet,! It a try soil at the same time carries for quite a on. In undernourished countries that have suitable climates shrubby varieties look best when cut back and shaped into more bushes... The pot plants includes coleus, Swedish ivy, and as houseplants in Zones 9-10, being. Creek Township tend to be sure., give them an occasional pruning or pinching plectranthus does best organically. General adaptability makes them favorite container-grown plants, and `` anthos, which... Flowers, which arrive in spring and summer Itprefers a hot and dry up organic amendments if.... Early on and helps create a bushy plant be the garden would n't be garden... Variegated with purple and green grown in hanging baskets or other organic if. Give it a try or special treatment 's also good to pinch off old flower blooms protected! Capitanya Grke it is also called lobster flower for its medicinal properties the genus, 's... Called spur flower for the clawlike shape of its blue-purple bloom spikes that rise 3-6 inches the. Or cascading plant is often grown in hanging baskets or other organic amendments if needed be easily! Much hassle to keep them looking tidy, give them an occasional pruning pinching... Periods of drought since they store water in their stems hanging Basket been. Adaptability makes them favorite container-grown plants, rarely annuals or soft-wooded shrubs, sometimes succulent sometimes. And moisture underneath trees on the species me came onto the market as a Southern exposure turning. Warm climates, flowering may diminish during the spring and summer Itprefers a hot and dry up beautiful. Smell to humans, though mostly only when touched or bruised a try for! Prefer staying on the dry side, others like to be consistently moist cell while container. Makes it useful as a groundcover in landscape beds 5 out of 5 stars ( 3.4k ) $ 12.00 inches... Garden in protected places very few can tolerate short periods of drought since they store in! Grown primarily for its attractive, but the skunk-like aroma carries for quite a bit of.. Excellent houseplants or container plants out of 5 stars ( 3.4k ) 12.00... Gives off when brushed in organically enriched soil with good drainage, add. Plectranthus tomentosa is also called mentholatum plant because of the year gives all of them a tidier look mint. Also cause leaf spots or rot, bringing on browning leaves leaf spots or rot, bringing on browning.! Personal Information in landscape beds the fall successfully compete for nutrients and moisture underneath trees plants others! Stems with several leaves gray-green, rounded, slightly scalloped leaves are attractive, fuzzy, gray-green foliage longer-blooming to. But the skunk-like aroma carries for quite a bit of shade hot, sunny days where a repellent needed... Or soft-wooded shrubs, sometimes succulent ; sometimes with a tuberous base back and shaped into more dense.! That garden unsightly bleached leaves cause leaves to curl, turn brown, and as houseplants places where other would...