PlantFiles: Lobster Flower, Blue Coleus
Plectranthus neochilus

This plant grows extremely well in the Mpumalanga Lowveld in South Africa. It is exeptionally hardy and will grow on almost any surface including sand and rocks. It will grow where nothing else wants to grow and once it is established, it needs almost no maintenance.
It respond verry well to regular watering and only blooms when you don't water it during the dry season.

It makes a verry low hedging around flower beds and is easily trimmed into the desired shape. All pieces that are cut off are suitable for cuttings (plant the stems on their side as roots develop from the side of the stems)

This plant doesn't seem to only enjoy the US, we have plenty of them growing here in South Africa.

While it is a very attractive plant to look at, the stench from the leaves as soon as they are touched is truly stomach churning. I was given a plant and even though it was wrapped up and in the trunk of my car, the smell came through and nearly made me sick!

Nevertheless, I planted it in a hot sunny, very well drained spot where it not only thrived, but managed to seed itself about. On a hot day, the pungent aroma carried for quite a distance and eventually, I had to rip it out. It tolerates temperatures down to -2C at least and can survive in very dry soils, so it is ideal for an arid garden - so long as you can hold your nose!

Easy plant to grow! I love mine, especially the variegated form.

aka Dog's Bane / Dog Gone