Plectranthus Species, Cat Repellent Plant, Dogs Be Gone, Piss-Off Plant, Scaredy Cat Plant
Plectranthus caninus
| Family: | Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Plectranthus (plek-TRAN-thus) (Info) |
| Species: | caninus (kay-NEE-nus) (Info) |
| Synonym: | Coleus caninus |
Category:
Annuals
Water Requirements:
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Shiny/Glossy
Foliage Color:
Height:
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness:
Not Applicable
Where to Grow:
Can be grown as an annual
Suitable for growing in containers
Danger:
Seed is poisonous if ingested
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Pollen may cause allergic reaction
Bloom Color:
Dark Blue
Lavender
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Blooms repeatedly
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From herbaceous stem cuttings
Seed Collecting:
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Highgrove, California
San Diego, California
Arvada, Colorado
Brandon, Florida
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Aiea, Hawaii
Hawaiian Ocean View, Hawaii
Makaha, Hawaii
Makaha Valley, Hawaii
Nanakuli, Hawaii
Ocean View, Hawaii
Waianae, Hawaii
Divernon, Illinois
Ewing, Kentucky
Lincoln Park, Michigan
House Springs, Missouri
Saint Peters, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri
Yonkers, New York
Humble, Texas
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Negative | On Jan 28, 2018, floramakros from Sacramento Valley, CA wrote: WARNING: For those of you who live where the European brown garden snail is a pest (the big one they use for escargot) they find this plant delicious! In order to supply San Francisco restaurants, they were imported in the 19th Century. S.F. was too cold to breed them, so snail farms were set up in the Sacramento Valley which has the Mediterranean climate they thrive in. Of course they escaped, and they've caused havoc for California gardeners ever since. I planted 3 of them outdoors, and within 48 hrs. every leaf was gone! When new tender leaf buds appear, they are immediately eaten. Eventually the plants run out of energy and die. Unless you plan to constantly surround them with unattractive expensive snail pellets or keep them in a snail proof vegetable bed or table top garden (which de... read more |
| Positive | On Jul 18, 2017, Caelestis from Lincoln Park, MI wrote: I'm growing this plant in a suburb about a mile southwest of Detroit, MI city limits. It grows very well here, seems to like full sun and lots of water, and it also does seem to repel cats. I was having trouble with cats using my new flower bed as a litter box. I planted two of these plants about 6' apart, and I haven't had one cat use the flower bed as a toilet since. |
| Positive | On Jan 13, 2014, funkthasystem from Aiea, HI wrote: I'm from Oahu and I recently bought coleus from Pearl City Walmart. Works like a charm. |
| Positive | On Jan 18, 2012, TheLoveofFlowers from Saint Paul, MN (Zone 4a) wrote: Smells bad (like skunk) whenever brushed against or bumped, but it does appear to work. I got a plant a couple years ago to keep squirrels and rabbits from digging up my garden and planters. I overwintered it and planted it outside the following year. Now I am overwintering it again. over wintering It doesn't get rid of the animals completely but I noticed ever since using them the squirrels usually ignore the planters, or at least don't dig into them as frequently as before. |
| Positive | On Dec 2, 2011, Kaku from Ahuimanu, HI wrote: I live on the island of Oahu in Hawaii and I'm trying to find out who sells this plant here. Does anybody know? Thank You. |
| Positive | On May 5, 2006, sara2 from Charleston, WV wrote: Have grown this plant for 3 summers successfully and it does work. I take cuttings each fall and root lots of them in water, then transplant to peat pots and finally put outside after last frost date. (I'm in 6b zone) You do need lots of plants; it is very definitely skunk smelling and will smell when touched or disturbed - if you handle the plant it will leave a slight skunk smell on your hands. Will even smell indoors under growlights in the winter if you disturb the leaves. Bloom is non-descript (might even try cutting bloom off to cut down on smell and grow strictly for foliage), grown for foliage, plants wind up mounding nicely, but I do not put out on the edge of my border, instead space around by edges shrubs and in the middle of a bed. My dogs avoid it and so do neighborhood cat... read more |
| Positive | On Jul 31, 2005, MollyMc from Archer/Bronson, FL (Zone 8b) wrote: This plant growns in full afternoon sun as well as in full shade. I have it in a pot that I move around the garden where cats need repelling. So far it seems to be working. As the stems grow and rest on the ground, they will set roots out. |
| Neutral | On Sep 19, 2004, Prism from Saint Peters, MO (Zone 6a) wrote: Very easy to grow & propagate like other coleus'. Has an odor similar to skunk. I call them my skunk plants. Its purpose is to repel rabbits, cats, dogs, & fox. I purchased 2 plants from Home Depot and took many cuttings to propagate it through several of my flower beds. I don't know how well it worked. It seems you would have to have quite a few before it would do very much repeling. They are not really obnoxious unless you get down & breath deeply. A slight odor is noticeable when watering them but not too bad. Nice looking light green foliage plants. Repeling quality still to be determined. I hope to overwinter enough to have a better idea on that next year. |
