Plectranthus parviflorus
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Plectranthus australis
- Phonetic Spelling
- plek-TRAN-thus par-vi-FLOR-us
- Description
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Plectranthus is a member of Lamiaceae (mint family). Known as little spurflower or cockspur flower, Plectranthus parviflorus is an erect pubescent perennial that grows 2-3' tall, occurring in Hawaii, Polynesia and Australia. It has square stems and is decumbent. This plant is popular in hanging baskets. It survives in dry air, and withstands occasional dry periods. It is utilized as ground covers because it roots easily. Plectranthus oertandahlii has leaves with prominent veins that are whitish and edged in reddish-purple above and below. Plectranthus coleoides has the largest leaves and are green with broad whitish margins. This plant prefers average warmth and a temperature minimum of 50 degrees. It prefers semi-shade to bright light, but avoid direct sunlight. It prefers moist compost, but reduce watering in winter and mist leaves occasionally.
Quick ID Hints:
- Herb with square twigs, broadly ovate opposite leaves
- Leaves rugose, pubescent, crenate
- Verticillate racemes with crowded zygomorphic purple flowers
- 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:
- parviflorus
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Lesser Sunda Islands to Pacific
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Drought, wind and heat tolerant
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are groups of 4 nutlets within persistent calyx.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Winter
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are small, zygomorphic, and pale purple. Calyx is campanulare and 5-toothed. Corolla is 3 times longer than the calyx, and 2-lipped (upper lip is 3-4 lobed while the lower lip is concave). Inflorescence is a verticillate raceme to 8' long with short internodes. Flowers are crowded.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Obtuse
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are opposite, fleshy, broadly ovate, obtusely crenate, rugose, and green.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Foot Traffic
