PlantFiles: Aeollanthus
Aeollanthus repens

Aeollanthus repens

Encountering this plant is rare and seems hard to find for sale (any suggestions where to find would be appreciated).

I first was introduced to this plant in college (about five years ago). Of course in my climate, it does not exhibit winter cold-hardiness, and was growing in the university greenhouses in the xeric house.

Aeollanthus grows well in hanging baskets, pots, or as a ground cover. I was fortunate enough to have a few plants and planted them outside in ground after graduation (of course when sub-freezing temperatures abated). In full sun, mulched with hardwood bark, and receiving only natural precipitation, this plant grew very compact and spread moderately fast as a low ground cover. Towards autumn short spikes of light purplish-lavender flowers emerged above the plant on inflorescences typical of many species of the Lamiaceae.

Aeollanthus has an incredibly sharp and pungent, very medicinal/antiseptic fragrance. Fragrance does remind also of a certain illicit substance. Do note, because of location native to (presumably desert or dry climate of Southern Africa) does require similar situations. Probably best situated in fast-draining soil, full sun, ample airflow.

This plant is not very ornamental but is appreciated for it's unique properties.

This is a very fast growing plant which spreads really quickly. The creamy green flower buds give a good texture to the plant during the pre flowering period; they then erupt in a mass of purple flower spikes. The down side is that the flowers really stink - as someone said, of skunk! But I only noticed this on a cut flower so it should be safe for garden use.