Plectranthus parviflorus
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Plectranthus australis
- Phonetic Spelling
- plek-TRAN-thus par-vi-FLOR-us
- Description
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Creeping charlie is an erect, pubescent perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae) that grows 2-3' tall, occurring in Hawaii, Polynesia and Australia.
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
