- Botanical name: Plectranthus fruticosus
- Common name: Spurflower
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Shrub, Evergreen
Purple
Green
- Key features:
- Aromatic foliage
- Attractive to wildlife
- Flowers
Plectranthus is a genus of annuals, perennials and shrubs, nearly all of which are native to the Southern Hemisphere, including sub-Saharan Africa, India, Madagascar and Australia. Given these warm origins, most Plectranthus are frost-tender, so can be moved outdoors in the warmer months but will require winter protection. Some Plectranthus make good houseplants.
Plectranthus fruticosus is a shade-loving evergreen shrub with purple flower spikes in the summer months. As it’s frost tender, you can grow it in a large container that can be easily moved indoors or outdoors when needed.
For best results, grow Plectranthus fruticosus in partial or light shade in humus-rich, well-drained soil. It can be grown outdoors in the summer months, but will require frost protection the rest of the year.
How to grow Plectranthus fruticosus
-
Plant size
2m height
2m spread
-
Aspect
North facing, east facing
-
Position in border
Middle
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full shade, partial shade
- Hardiness: Tender
- Soil type: Clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
| Take cuttings |
J
Do not Take cuttings in January |
F
Do not Take cuttings in February |
M
Do Take cuttings in March |
A
Do Take cuttings in April |
M
Do Take cuttings in May |
J
Do Take cuttings in June |
J
Do not Take cuttings in July |
A
Do not Take cuttings in August |
S
Do not Take cuttings in September |
O
Do not Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do not Take cuttings in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do Prune in February |
M
Do Prune in March |
A
Do not Prune in April |
M
Do not Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do not Prune in September |
O
Do not Prune in October |
N
Do not Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Plectranthus fruticosus and wildlife
Plectranthus fruticosus is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Plectranthus fruticosus poisonous?
Plectranthus fruticosus has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Plectranthus fruticosus
