Is Plectranthus Verticillatus A Succulent?

Is Plectranthus Verticillatus a succulent?

Plectranthus verticillatus is a semi-succulent perennial ground cover native to Southeast Africa’s woodlands and forest fringes. It has long been a favorite garden topic in many parts of the world, thanks to both its beautiful foliage and its delicate white to pale mauve blooms.

The popular “Swedish Ivy” pot and basket hanging Plectranthus is not P. verticillatus, as it is commonly called elsewhere, but P. oertendahlii from KwaZulu-forested Natal’s coastal river gorges. Variegated leaves with silvery patterns distinguish the latter.

How do you treat Plectranthus Verticillatus?

Swedish ivy prefers soil pH levels between 5.5 and 6.5, which are easily provided by most potting mixes. This houseplant thrives in strong, indirect sunshine for four to six hours per day, although it may withstand lower light levels.

Swedish ivy thrives in heavy humidity. It can withstand the lower humidity levels found in most houses, especially during the winter months – however it never hurts to keep a humidifier nearby.

Spider mites can be attracted to a plant that is excessively dry. If you keep a humidifier on hand for those horrible winter colds, like I do, you may use it for your plants when you’re not using it in the sickroom!

Overwatering is the leading cause of death for P. verticillatus, according to Dr. Perry, thus it’s critical to follow these watering guidelines:

During the spring and summer, water once a week, leaving the top couple of inches of soil to dry before re-watering. Yellowing leaves are an indication of overwatering, so if you see this symptom, you should water less regularly.

You’ll only need to water your plant once every two to three weeks in the fall and winter. During certain seasons, it will not develop as much, and feeding it too much water is harmful. Allow the soil to dry down to about twice its depth between waterings like you would in the spring.

Fertilize your P. verticillatus with indoor plant fertilizer every two to three weeks during busy growth seasons in the spring and summer. This 8-ounce bottle of 1-1-1 NPK fertilizer is the optimum strength for your Swedish ivy – or, in other words, it’s not too powerful! Fertilizing should be avoided throughout the fall and winter.

In the summer, place your plant in a shady or partially sunny spot outside for an increasing number of hours each day until it has adapted to the outdoor circumstances and can be left outside full-time.

If you do this and limit your watering, you may see faint purple spikes of blossoms after bringing your plant inside in the fall! Just remember to bring your houseplant inside once the overnight temps fall below 60°F.

Is Plectranthus Verticillatus a money plant?

Plectranthus verticillatus (Plectranthus verticillatus) Common names include gossip spurflower and money plant.

Plectranthus verticillatus is a semi-succulent perennial ground cover native to Southeast Africa’s woodlands and forest fringes. It has long been a favorite garden topic in many parts of the world, thanks to both its beautiful foliage and its delicate white to pale mauve blooms.

How do you propagate Plectranthus Verticillatus?

1. verticillatus and several other species in the genus are simple to grow, as the oval Office anecdote implies.

Swedish ivy is best grown from stem cuttings, but it can also be grown from seed. Of course, you can always buy a specimen from a nursery or online.

Using Stem Cuttings

To begin, you can take a cutting at any time of year. The best time to root cuttings is in the spring or summer, when the plant is actively growing, but you should be able to root them even in the dead of winter.

Fill a clear plastic cup with holes punched in the bottom or a nursery pot with drainage holes with potting mix before you begin. Fill a cup halfway with clean water.

Take a five- to six-inch clipping from a vine with younger, smaller leaves, indicating recent growth. Cut at a 45° angle above a leaf node with clean pruners.

Remove the leaves from the cutting’s bottom two inches, but leave the remainder of the foliage alone. If you desire, you can soak the cut end in rooting hormone powder, although Swedish ivy propagates so easily that this isn’t necessary.

Submerge the cutting in the rooting medium or in a jar of water for about two inches. Place the container on your kitchen table or countertop, where it will receive bright, indirect sunlight but will not be exposed to drafts.

If you’re using water, replace it with a fresh cupful every two to three days. Gardeners who use potting mix must keep it continually moist until roots develop. This should take about two to three weeks.

You’ll be able to see the new root system as it develops if you use a clear cup filled with either water or potting mix.

How to care for Plectranthus verticillatus?

It is simple to grow as a ground cover or in attractive hanging baskets. It requires full sun to medium shade, as well as a rich, well-drained soil mixture. You can use a soil mix of 2 parts peat moss, 1 part loam, and 2 parts sand.

Plants are watered thoroughly and allowed to dry somewhat before being watered again. If the plants become too damp, root rot develops. Plants are treated regularly with a balanced fertilizer during the summer.

Please do not overwater! Allow the surface soil to dry for a few days before re-watering every 2-3 weeks. Plants that have been soaked are prone to root rot. P. verticillatus cultivated in pots should be examined on a regular basis for drooping, which is a sure symptom of under-watering.

Is Plectranthus Verticillatus edible?

It is a foliage houseplant that is not typically edible.

The popular “Swedish Ivy” pot and basket hanging Plectranthus is not P. verticillatus, as it is commonly called elsewhere, but P. oertendahlii from the forested coastal river gorges of KwaZulu-Natal. The latter is distinguished by variegated leaves with silvery patterns.

It is common in frost-free places along forest edges, woodland, kloof forest, and scrub forest from Knysna to Limpopo. Frost is not tolerated by this plant.

How much light does Plectranthus Verticillatus need?

It requires full sun to medium shade, as well as a rich, well-drained soil mixture. We use sand and loam in our ground cover mix in the greenhouse.

When you are deciding on the best place to put this plant, consider where your houseplant will live. If you will be planting it in a sunny spot, then you can go for lower light levels.

If your new plant will be in a shaded area, then you may have to give it more light than necessary. The green color of the leaves can make a plant seem brighter than it is. If you are going to move a plant indoors for the winter, then try to find a spot that is not too dark.

Plants are watered thoroughly and allowed to dry somewhat before being watered again. If the plants become too damp, root rot occurs.

Plants are treated regularly with a balanced fertilizer during the summer.

How do you dry Plectranthus Verticillatus?

Collecting your leaves

You can harvest leaves for drying at any time of year. During the early summer months, you can pick and store your plants whole to be dried outside on a sunny day. This is great if you live in an area that has mild climates.  Otherwise, you will need to process them indoors.

Once the initial drying period is over, begin moving the plants around to promote further drying and even out any humidity/moisture levels in your drying space.

This will take anywhere from a few months to a year to complete, depending on where you live and the amount of light your plants receive.

Cautions: The stems and leaves can be used in crafts and dried flowers.

Seed heads make interesting additions to winter arrangements, but should also be dried thoroughly as a precaution against fire hazards triggered by any moisture remaining inside.

Can we eat Plectranthus Verticillatus?

Plectranthus verticillatus, the first herbaceous plant in the world to be introduced to Europe, is an evergreen aromatic shrub with large leaves and showy flowers. It has a lot of ornamental value.

It is easy to maintain and has no pests or diseases except for root rot, which can be prevented by watering less often. It is typically not edible and is not poisonous.

How do you identify Plectranthus Verticillatus?

This plant is an aromatic soft herb that grows 100-305 mm tall and spreads 600 mm wide.

The glossy, velvety, round to obovate leaves is light to dark green above, sometimes deep purple below, semi-succulent (64-90 mm across), and grown on rectangular stems. The stems are short and strigose (short rough hairs pointed in the same direction).

Flowers of white, pale mauve, or pale pink appear in gardens periodically throughout the year, but more frequently in spring and late autumn. Terminal racemose verticillate (whorled) inflorescence, 50-260 mm long, with paired side branches (verticillasters) near the base.

Calyx is 3 mm long and grows to 5 mm in length. Corolla is 10-25 mm long, white, and often speckled; tube is 4-16 mm long, straight, laterally compressed, 2-3 mm broad, and practically linear; and the base is somewhat saccate. Brownish nutlets 1 mm long.

How often should you water Plectranthus Verticillatus?

Wait for the top inch of soil to dry before watering. Overwatering can cause root rot. It is also important not to allow a pot with Plectranthus verticillatus to sit in water, as this will cause root rot.

Do not overwater! Allow the surface soil to dry for a few days before re-watering every 2-3 weeks. Plants that have been soaked are prone to root rot. P. verticillatus cultivated in pots should be examined on a regular basis for drooping, which is a sure symptom of under-watering.

How do you repot Plectranthus Verticillatus?

Plants should be repotted every 2-3 years in the spring. Make sure to use a pot with drainage holes to prevent root rot. To repot, gently remove the plant from its pot and loosen the surrounding soil.

If the plant looks root bound, then you should repot it immediately. It is important for Plectranthus verticillatus not to be left in a container that is too small, because this causes stress on the plant.

Repot on completion of the growth cycle, from early spring to late autumn. Use a container that is only slightly larger than the root ball of the Plectranthus. It has very soft roots and dislikes disturbance during its rest period, so plan accordingly.

Is Plectranthus Verticillatus toxic to cats and dogs?

The Swedish Ivy is a creeping plant with lengthy trails of fleshy leaves that are ideal for a cat to become entangled in. The Swedish Ivy, also known as Creeping Charlie, is not a legitimate member of the ivy family, hence it is not dangerous to cats and dogs like true ivy plants.

The Swedish Ivy grows quickly and does not mind if its soil dries up between waterings. Your cat will want to help care for this plant, so good luck convincing them that their assistance isn’t required!

What is the best soil of Plectranthus Verticillatus?

It is an evergreen perennial plant used as a ground cover and for topiary. It is not particularly drought-tolerant, but it does have medium water needs. Soil should be sandy loam or compost, with plenty of peat moss and some sand to help retain moisture.

This plant requires a rich, well-drained soil mixture. You can use a soil mix of 2 parts peat moss, 1 part loam, and 2 parts sand. Plants are watered thoroughly and allowed to dry somewhat before being watered again.