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Plectranthus argentatus

Phonetic Spelling
plek-TRAN-thus ar-jen-TAY-tus
Description

Grown for attractive  gray to silver foliage; flowers are pale blue to white.  Argentatus means silvery in Latin.

Mass plant along borders, foundations, in containers on patios or as indoor houseplants.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Scale, mealybugs, and mites on indoor plants.  Root rot and leaf spots can be a problem.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cottage Garden Perennial Border
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Silver Crest'
  • 'Silver Shield'
'Silver Crest', 'Silver Shield'
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#shade garden#showy leaves#interiorscape#interesting leaves#deer resistant#foundation planting#border planting#hairy leaves#hairy stems#dry soils tolerant#container plant#annual#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Silver Crest'
  • 'Silver Shield'
'Silver Crest', 'Silver Shield'
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#shade garden#showy leaves#interiorscape#interesting leaves#deer resistant#foundation planting#border planting#hairy leaves#hairy stems#dry soils tolerant#container plant#annual#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Plectranthus
    Species:
    argentatus
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Queensland to North East New South Wales
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    July to August upright termial racemes with 1/2" long flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Velvety
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Ovate, scalloped pointed-tipped opposite leaves up to 4" long and coverd with silvery hairs.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Hairy green-purple stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Dry Soil