Plectranthus verticillatus 'Barberton'

RHS Plant Profile
Swedish ivy 'Barberton'

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Swedish ivy 'Barberton' RHS
Swedish ivy 'Barberton' RHS
Herbaceous Perennial Bedding Houseplants

A mat-forming, trailing variety with green, waxy, heart-shaped serrated leaves with pinky-red undersides.

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or 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)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming, 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
Accepted

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 propagate by stem-tip cuttings at any time of year (see softwood cuttings)

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

Prune young plants to create bushy growth

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free