How Do You Grow Plectranthus Ecklonii?

What is Plectranthus Ecklonii?

Plectranthus Ecklonii is an appealing and popular garden topic. It is a soft, erect, rapidly growing shrub that grows to 3 meters tall. The effect of mass planting is rather remarkable. P. Ecklonii grows well in partial shade. It is suitable for gardens where frost is not a problem.

The first season following planting, Plectranthus Ecklonii will bloom freely. Plant at a distance of 60 cm apart. After flowering, severely prune back in midwinter.

The inflorescence is a terminal panicle that can grow to be 370 mm long. The two-lipped corolla is 15-24 mm long, bluish-purple with a straight tube, and is seldom pink or white. Plants bloom during the fall season, from March to May, with a peak in April. The fruit is a little nutlet about 2 mm long and black or dark brown in color.

How do you grow Plectranthus Ecklonii?

Plectranthus Ecklonii is found across the Eastern Cape, from Somerset East in the Eastern Cape to Barberton in Mpumalanga. It only grows in wet coastal subtropical and afrotemperate forests and forest edges. It can be found in the understory of forest edges or on forested stream banks.

The majority of the rain falls during the summer, with annual totals ranging between 1000 and 1 750 mm.

Plectranthus Ecklonii is a favorite garden topic and one of the showiest and most gorgeous Plectranthus in the garden. The mass planting of blue, white, and pink varieties is highly eye-catching. P. Ecklonii grows well in partial shade.

It is suitable for gardens where frost is not a problem. It may be cultivated as a container house plant inside in colder climes. P. Ecklonii is a fast-growing pioneer shrub that thrives in shaded areas. The first season after planting, it will bloom profusely. Plant at a distance of 60 cm apart. After flowering, severely prune back in midwinter.

How big does Plectranthus Ecklonii grow?

Plectranthus Ecklonii is a fairly tall shrub, growing up to 3 meters. This is an ideal height for a shrub and gives enough room for several shrubs to be planted in a small garden. Due to the fact that this shrub grows fast, it is good to have more than one plant per section of garden.

The fruit, the pom-pom, which looks like a small black egg, grows in clusters at the end of the branch. These shrubs flower during the spring and summer, from March to May, with a peak in April. With the large leaves that are on this shrub, it is an ideal addition to any garden.

What are the uses of Plectranthus Ecklonii?

Plectranthus Ecklonii has never been used in traditional medicine. It is a well-known and popular garden plant. The leaves are unique in that when crushed and rubbed, they produce a nicotine-like stain on the skin. The juice of the fruit is used as a dye in other species of Plectranthus. The fruit is used in other plants.

Does Plectranthus Ecklonii bloom?

Plectranthus Ecklonii is a winter-blooming shrub. The name Ecklonii refers to the original source of the plant, but it was also known as ‘Hog’s Gland’ and ‘Marutha Paka’. It flowers during the fall season, from March to May with a peak in April.

It is one of the few native species that has bloomed in South Africa, making it an attractive and colorful garden topic. The flowers are of a vibrant blue color and can grow up to 20 cm in length.

The individual petals are about 0.5 cm long, tubular-shaped and fused at the base where the two lips meet (a feature unique to the Plectranthus genus). There are some varieties that have a white, pink or pale-blue color.

Does Plectranthus Ecklonii need fertilizer?

Plectranthus Ecklonii is more likely to thrive in soils with a lower pH of 5.5 or less. The plants need the nutrient phosphorus and like most plants, will perform better if it is planted in rich, moist soil that has been well fertilized.

This can be done by digging in some compost or manure before planting. Although the plant is hardy and resilient, it needs adequate water for optimum growth.

Plectranthus Ecklonii can be planted in a location where it will receive partial shade. If it is planted in an area that is not shaded, it will still grow fairly well. However, if the plant does not get enough sunlight, it will not grow as tall.

How often should you water Plectranthus Ecklonii?

Plectranthus Ecklonii is a fast-growing shrub that thrives in shaded areas. It requires well-drained, moist soil and should be watered frequently during the dry winter months, especially if there is any possibility of frost.

It grows best if watered during the winter months, and in summer it requires watering about once a week. It is estimated that this plant will need to be watered around three times per week during the hotter summer months. Watering will especially be important if the plant is planted in an exposed area where the wind blows.

What type of soil is best for Plectranthus Ecklonii?

Plectranthus Ecklonii has never been used in traditional medicine. It is a well-known and popular garden plant. The leaves are unique in that when crushed and rubbed, they produce a nicotine-like stain on the skin.

The juice of the fruit is used as a dye in other species of Plectranthus. The fruit is used in other plants. Soil should be well-drained and preferably have a pH of 5.5 or less.

The plant prefers soil that is moist and is often cultivated in well-drained, sandy loam. The soil should be rich in nutrients, as the shrubs require phosphorus for fast growth.

It can be planted in a location where it will receive partial shade if grown outdoors. When planted in an area that does not receive enough sunlight, it will not grow tall as it would if exposed to direct sunlight.

Does Plectranthus Ecklonii die back during the winter?

Plectranthus Ecklonii is a fast-growing pioneer shrub that thrives in shaded areas. The first season after planting, it will bloom profusely. Plant at a distance of 60 cm apart. After flowering, severely prune back in midwinter.

Plectranthus Ecklonii is commonly grown as a perennial shrub, which can be cut back after flowering. However, it is important to oversee the pruning of this shrub because, if left to grow for two or more seasons, it could become invasive.

How do you prune Plectranthus Ecklonii?

Plectranthus Ecklonii is a fast-growing shrub. It grows very rapidly and flowers profusely the first season after planting. However, it will only produce fruits if it is severely pruned back in midwinter.

This can be done by cutting the lower branches that grow above the soil line. When pruning Plectranthus Ecklonii the following are procedures to follow;

• Cut back to the main stem and leave selected branches. In the case of large plants, prune back to a height of 100 cm.
• Prune in midwinter (20–25 °C) or after flowering.
• Prune severely every ten years to keep in shape.
• Prune only the lower branches after flowering.
• Cut off flower buds and use to force in a pot for the winter.
• Aim for a new flush of growth after pruning, rather than pruning back to woody growth.
• Prune off suckers from fallen branches as they will turn into new plants and compete for water and nutrients from the trunk of the plant.

How do you propagate Plectranthus Ecklonii?

Propagation of Plectranthus Ecklonii is by seeds or cuttings. Seeds usually come from fruit that has matured and fallen to the ground. The seeds should be sown as soon as they are ripe. The following are steps when propagating Plectranthus Ecklonii by;

Stem cutting

• Cut the stem of Plectranthus and remove lower leaves.
• Clean around the cut and disinfect with a fungicide.
• Place in a pot filled with well-drained, moist soil in a sunny location to allow the cut to dry out completely before planting.
• Plant the cutting in a well-drained, sandy loam soil in full sun and at a distance of 60 cm apart. Keep moist during the day but let dry by night.
• Thin out the excess shoots later. The cuttings can also be placed in a propagator to encourage root growth and then transplanted.

Seed propagation

• Pretreat the seeds with a fungicide to prevent fungal infection and allow scarification before sowing.
• Sow seeds in a clay or plastic pot filled with well-drained, sandy loam soil and keep moist for about 3 weeks before transplanting into separate pots or directly into the ground when harvesting is required.
• Keep the soil slightly moist until seedlings emerge.
• Thin the seedlings to 6–8 cm apart when flowers appear.
• Hand-rear for about 2–3 years before planting in a well-drained, sandy loam soil at a distance of 60 cm apart when flowering is over for the growing season and pruning, if required, should be done in midwinter.

Is Plectranthus Ecklonii a perennial?

Plectranthus Ecklonii is normally a perennial shrub in the mild climate zones of South-East Australia, but it can be grown from seed or cuttings. The plant may be forced indoors in a pot for overwintering.

However, it is not perennial if grown in areas with cold winters. Plectranthus Ecklonii thrives in a sunny location and appreciates well-drained, moist soil. It is a fast-growing shrub that provides quick cover and fills in empty spaces.

Plectranthus Ecklonii blooms profusely the first season after planting and can be pruned in midwinter. Plectranthus Ecklonii is a popular garden plant that produces masses of flowers. If a severe prune is done after flowering, fruit will be produced on the plant for the following year.