Plectranthus Species, Purple Swedish Ivy, Vick's Plant
Plectranthus purpuratus
| Family: | Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Plectranthus (plek-TRAN-thus) (Info) |
| Species: | purpuratus (pur-pur-AH-tus) (Info) |
Category:
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Good Fall Color
Succulent
Foliage Color:
Height:
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
Bloom Color:
Bloom Characteristics:
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By simple layering
Seed Collecting:
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
San Diego, California
San Antonio, Texas
Gardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Positive | On Dec 8, 2012, Spittlebug from Fort Collins, CO wrote: I have grown this plant for many years in Fort Collins, Colorado. It makes a great hanging basket. I've had the best luck by setting my black Swedish ivy outdoors for the summer, under a shade tree, bringing it back inside before frost time. It tends to get sparse and leggy in the house even in bright sun, but after a sojourn outdoors it comes back healthy, vibrant and bushy. It's never had bug problems. I don't like the smell of it...a bit stinky I think. It grows roots quickly in water and I frequently sell or give away my cuttings. |
| Positive | On Apr 7, 2003, gardener1492 from Ogallala, NE (Zone 5a) wrote: I got a start from my mother-in-law and planted it in a large container with some wondering jew and left it outside all summer and then brought it into the sunroom last fall. It is now about 4 foot tall with several shoots going every which way seeking the light. Makes a beautiful display in the middle of the wondering jew. I will have to trim all of the plants back to get them outside in May and will post a pic of it after it gets it's growth back. It will take full shade, partial, or full sun and will spread and thicken up when pruned no matter how severely. |
| Positive | On Sep 10, 2002, Sunshine3 wrote: Hi, I am new to this beautiful plant and I would like to know how to propogate. Do I pinch off at certain places? Do I place the pinched off pieces in water to root? I would like to add new rooted pieces back into the original container as I lost a lot of stems during a real hot spell. I keep my beautiful plant on a table on my balcony facing SE. |
| Positive | On Jun 8, 2002, Tx_herb_guy wrote: This is a wonderfully aromatic plant, that gives a definite menthol smell when leaves are brushed. The plant spreads by itself, my plant is approx. 2ft high, and is spreading out by itself, I have mine in a garden with mulch and compost, infrequent waterings. Full sun during early day then shaded in hot afternoons |
