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. Germanea Lam. 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. Plectranthus verticillatus is a common houseplant. Ethnobotanical uses 1. Many species of plectranthus have fragrant foliage. Water as needed to keep soil evenly moist, especially in hot weather. Plectranthus purpuratus is a tender perennial that smells like Vick's Vaporub. It grows less than a foot tall and spreads up to 2 feet wide. For more than 10 years, she's been on a mission to transform her urbanapartment into an indoor jungle. Repot in about 6 to 8 weeks after the seedling emerges. It has a very strong fragrance of oregano when crushed, hence its other common name Cuban oregano. The blooms of plectranthus are not usually the main attraction, but there are some exceptions. Known for his great generosity, his thoroughness and his sense of humor, he reached several generations of amateur and professional gardeners over his 40-year career. Shrubby varieties look best when cut back and shaped into more dense bushes. As for Maggie (the dog), she was harder to test, being naturally more excitable, but seemed to show no special reaction when I held a branch in front of her. Plant the seeds shallowly, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep. Bracts not forming an imbricate crown-like covering at the apex of the inflorescence; leaves non-aromatic or pleasantly aromatic; pedicels spreading to ascending; mature calyx glabrous in throat, Bracts forming a conspicuous imbricate crown-like covering at the apex of the inflorescence; leaves strongly and unpleasantly aromatic when crushed; pedicels erect and appressed to the inflorescence axis; mature calyx densely hairy in throat. Coleus caninus is known as the scaredy cat or scat plant, as its smell is said to deter cats, as well as other mammals including dogs, rabbits, and foxes. Most plectranthus can grow indoors with ample sunlight, such as a southern exposure. For many years, the genus and species of this plant was Coleus blumei. Thanks to the many people who contribute their photos to Dave's Garden. Pruning and deadheading faded flower spikes will likely encourage more blooms. Make sure the stem has at least five. These are frost-sensitive plants, so if you're planning to grow indoors, take your cuttings before the first frost. Cherisse Harris is a fact-checker with a focus on lifestyle, beauty, and parenting. Plants tolerate full sun in cool summer climates. Some people believe that certain kinds scare away snakes and repel mosquitoes. It's sometimes called prostrate coleus, silver Swedish ivy, or candle plant. Fill fresh soil around the plant's roots. The stems are woody at the base and can reach 60 cm or more in height. Plants are tolerant of heat, humidity and some soil dryness. It has fuzzy gray-green leaves and bears lavender-purple flowers. Therefore, the method most often recommended, that is, planting them here and there among garden plants you want to protect, is simply not going to work. [2], The word plectranthus derives from the Greek (plktron), "anything to strike with, an instrument for striking the lyre, a spear point"[4] + (anthos), "blossom, flower".[5]. Plectranthus oertendahlii 'Emerald Lace' is named for the lacy gray-green pattern of markings on its scalloped, rounded foliage. Plectranthus Pleases Foliage Lovers. These plants are similar to succulents and can handle short droughts from time to time. Plectranthus plants can be set out in the garden in spring after the last frost. It is native to South Africa and Australia, not Sweden, where it was first popularized. You'll need sterile, sharp garden snips or scissors, well-draining soil, and a pot or planting location in partial light. Purple Plectranthus in 1.5-Gallon (s) Hanging Basket. Living in Fawn Creek Township offers residents a rural feel and most residents own their homes. at a later date, because I had not heard it was supposed to have repellent effects, at least not on mammals. [Cited as Plectranthus caninus.] Remove the leaves that are below the waterline. delightful, but its actually a natural repellent. Again, no reaction. When frost threatens, pot them up and enjoy them as houseplants in a sunny window until spring. It grows in tropical regions of Asia such as Nepal, India, and Thailand. Some gardeners choose to move their Plectranthus plants indoors for the cold winters, which allows them to survive throughout the year. 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. NC State Extension. Read our Commitment to Diversity | Read our Privacy Statement. Model # 4361. These plants are versatile; most grow well in-ground, in containers, and as houseplants. Capitanya Grke Grow a few plants in pots so they can be moved easily to areas where a repellent is needed. It can be propagated in the springtime by division. Dried leaves make a tasty tea. She's been a contributing writer for The Spruce since 2019. At the base of the cutting, trim the stem directly below where the bottom leaf attaches. It bears pale blue to white flowers in summer. Even if you turn to sites hosted by veterinarians, where you think there would be something more concrete, you find a mix of responses. Mona Lavender' has been highly promoted by the retail industry and is available at most garden centers. Sunburn can cause leaves to curl, turn brown, and dry up. View Full Report Card. Or trusting of me? It's important to recognize signs that your plant is having some issues. Also, remove damaged leaves to prevent spores from spreading. They do best in locations that provide partial shade, although some species can grow in full sun. Still, I must admit the experiences didnt lead me to think very favorably about animal repellent plants! In a few weeks, roots will sprout. Many claims, little evidence? In the garden, most plectranthus plants grow from 12 to 28 inches tall. Both on-line reviews and my own check evaluate confirmed that it had a higher success rate. In sweltering climates, Plectranthus may struggle and require extra care (watering and shade) to survive. Moreover, when one seller tried to get a patent for this plant (under the name Sumcol01), the request was deniedon the grounds that the plant presented no discernible difference from the species.. Water thoroughly until water drains out of the base. 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. All Plectranthuses are members of the Lamiaceae (mint) family. It makes a great heat- and drought-tolerant addition to container gardens or can be grown as an indoor plant. 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. Remove the bottom leaves. 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. N.C. The idea usually promoted is that you simply have to plant repellent plants here and there throughout a flower bed or vegetable garden and then mammals (it seems to be mostly cats that people want to expel*) will then avoid the sector. The most recent treatment of the genus resurrected the genus Coleus, and 212 names were changed from combinations in Plectranthus, Pycnostachys and Anisochilus. If you notice lower leaves of a plant turning yellow, falling off, and wilting, this may be a sign of root rot. Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Plectranthus argentatus. Groundcover varieties grow quickly and may be pruned regularly to prevent overgrowing. Hence the common name of 'DogBane'. 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: Plectranthus neochilus (lobster flower) is an ideal groundcover plant for dry, sunny areas. Small, insignificant flowers. All petunias do best and grow more bushy and full if you pinch or cut them back by one- to two-thirds in midsummer. Mouse over pictures for specific credits. Any repellent effect would be too diluted and cats would simply have to wander around the individual repellent plants to get their favorite spot. But everyone has their own recipe and pinol recipes can vary widely. If your plant is wilting, try giving more water. With many plectranthus plants, foliage takes center stage, adding texture to the garden space. My stepcat, Tofutti, relishes tagetes minuta. What plant can Plectranthus replace in the landscape? An attempt to register "Coleus canina" to receive plant variety protection failed as it was considered to be only a clone of Coleus comosus (synonym Plectranthus ornatus).[2]. It is a traditional drink made with ground maize (corn) mixed with cocoa, agave or honey and cinnamon, vanilla and a variety of spices. Tips for Pruning Hanging Baskets and Hard to Reach Houseplants, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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? illeg. Pinching encourages plants to produce more branches and to become fuller and denser. There are lots of blogs and articles on the Internet promoting repellent plants, plants that are supposed to keep cats and dogs away from the garden just by their smell. However, some bright color varieties tend to "green out," with the foliage taking on a green tinge in too much shade. More information about coleus is available at Dave's Garden. Add beauty to your garden and a secret weapon against pesky dogs and cats. Clay soils hold moisture longer than sandy soils, so expect to water more frequently in sandy settings.Different plants have different water needs. Most just seem to take it for granted that repellent plants work, repeating what the author has read elsewhere. As an alternative, root the removed stems in a glass of water, making sure to change the water at least once a week. Description: Herbs, subshrubs or shrubs, often somewhat succulent; branches often procumbent to erect, often rooting at nodes. 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