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Plectranthus verticillatus

Swedish ivy

Swedish ivy

© RHS

3 suppliers

  • Other common names Swedish ivy

  • Synonyms Plectranthus australis misapplied
    Plectranthus Swedish ivy

  • Family Lamiaceae

  • 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

  • Details P. verticillatus is a prostrate evergreen perennial forming a mat to 10cm tall, with rounded, coarsely toothed leaves purple beneath, and loose spikes of purple-dotted, white flowers 2cm long in summer

  • Plant range Southern Africa

Characteristics

  • Foliage Evergreen

  • Habit Mat forming

  • 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)

    H2

Colour

Sunlight

  • Partial Shade

  • Aspect South-facing or West-facing or East-facing

  • Exposure Sheltered

Soil

  • Loam

    Loam

  • Sand

    Sand

  • MoistureWell-drained, Moist but well-drained

  • SoilLoam, Sand

  • pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height Up to 10 cm

  • Ultimate spread 0.5-1 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 1-2 years

How to grow

Cultivation Best grown in a well-drained soil in partial shade, used as foliage plant either in beds or in a container. Can be grown under glass but shade from hot sun

Propagation Propagate by seed at 19-24°C (19-24°F) when ripe or propagte by stem-tip cuttings at any time of year (see softwood cuttings)

Suggested planting locations and garden types Patio & Container Plants

How to care

Pruning Prune young plants to create bushy growth

Pests Generally pest free

Diseases Generally disease free

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