PlantFiles: Plectranthus
Plectranthus forsteri

This handsome species is native to New Caledonia and other Oceanic islands east and north of Australia. Thus it is tender. Its large, tropical-looking foliage is thick and covered with soft, velvety hairs. It has a slightly minty fragrance but is not as aromatic as some other kinds of Plectranthus. This species also has two variegated sports: P. forsteri 'Marginatus' with broad, pure white borders, and P. forsteri 'Aureo-Variegatus', with a narrow gold border. In southern California I keep all three as container plants with morning sun and afternoon shade in a loose, slightly gritty soil mixture and water regularly. I move them indoors when the temperature gets down to the mid-30s F (+2-3 C). They also do well in the ground during the warm part of the year and make striking summer bedding plants in colder climates.