Plectranthus oertendahlii
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- plek-TRAN-thus er-ten-DAHL-ee-eye
- Description
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Brazilian Coleus is a flowering, tender tropical, evergreen perennial subshrub in the mint family. Despite its common names, this coleus is native to a small region in southern Africa, KwaZulu-Natal. It is a forest-dwelling plant often found under the tree canopy and, thus, adapted to low-light conditions. It has succulent, heart-shaped leaves with green and silver markings. In fall, it produces erect sprays of pale blue flowers similar to the flowers found on sage. It is a spreading plant with trailing purple stems up to 3 feet long.
Brazilian Coleus does best in moist, well-drained, loamy or sandy soil in partial shade. It is an ornamental plant typically grown as a houseplant. It can be placed outside in a warm, shaded site, but it will not tolerate temperatures below 5 degrees F. In cooler climates, it should overwinter indoors in containers. When grown indoors, you should site the plant where it will get partial or indirect light, water when dry, and plant in loose, well-draining potting mix or loamy garden soil.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Plectranthus
- Species:
- oertendahlii
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- S. KwaZulu-Natal
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 8 in. - 3 ft. 4 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Flower Description:
- Pink-tinged white or pale blue flowers, in erect sprays. Flowers are double-lipped and bloom in autumn and winter.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Rhomboidal
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Succulent heart-shaped green leaves are rounded to rhombic and roughly serrated with silvery main veins and purple stalks. The undersides are a deep reddish purple and contain the chemical anthocyanin that traps light allowing the plant to grow beneath the forest canopy.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Description:
- Square stems, creeping and rooted, trail along the ground up to 40 inches long.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
