Plectranthus purpuratus

RHS Plant Profile

purple Swedish ivy

Herbaceous Perennial Houseplants

A trailing or spreading evergreen perennial with freely branching stems and soft, fleshy, aromatic dark green leaves that are slightly furry and purple tinted beneath. Tiny bluish-white, tubular flowers are produced in summer and at intervals, year round

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Trailing
Genus: Plectranthus can be annuals, evergreen perennials or shrubs, with opposite, ovate or heart-shaped, sometimes fleshy leaves, and 2-lipped, tubular flowers borne in whorls forming spikes or panicles
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Eastern S Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light, with shade from hot sun; during the growing season water regularly to keep the compost moist but not soggy, and apply a general liquid or houseplant fertiliser mothly. Keep just moist in winter

Propagation

Propagate by division in mid or late spring or propagate by stem-tip softwood cuttings at any time

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Hanging Basket
Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free