However, complete drying of the soil is not allowed, because this can cause the leaves to fall off. All rights reserved. Sparta, MI 49345. So, I’ve had Mona Lavender blooming all summer in the shade and2-3 hours of full sun in Florida. These plants make anincredible late summer/fall display in the Southern landscape, but landscapeperformance farther North is unknown. These fanciful foliage plants are easy to grow and make excellent houseplants or container plants. Rootedliners from Ball Floraplant were pinched at planting and placed immediatelyunder photoperiod treatments. The information inFigure 2, page 16, tells you what we found. This plant makes an attractive ground cover when not in flower and is spectacular when flowering. We ran the exact same study using 26 species and hybrids ofplectranthus, as well as ‘Cat’s Whiskers’ (Orthosiphon stamineus) and ‘Red Queen’ trailing coleus (Solenostemonrheneltianus or S.scutellarioides). My picks for best flowering formsinclude Mona Lavender, of course, but also P. ecklonii and P. ecklonii ‘Erma’ which are shrub-like reaching 5-6 feet in thelandscape, and flowering purple and pink, respectively. In winter, the temperature is not lower than + 50 ° F. If the temperature is too high and there is insufficient lighting in the winter, the shoots are stretched out. The quickesttreatments to flower were 12-hour days; 14-hour plants bloomed about two weekslater and were 2-3 inches taller. They spread like a mounding ground cover and can be propagated through cuttings. It will produce a blue/purple flower. Very often adult plectranthus is replaced … View other plants in this … Stems root very readily and the plant extends, where it forms a tidy cluster. It can be taken for the composition of their own making: 1 part leaf, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part peat. The genus Plectranthus includes more than 350 species of annual and perennial plants, including commonly grown ornamentals such as Cuban oregano (P. … Coleus neochilus (previously Plectranthus neochilus), known as the Smelly Spur Flower, is a hardy, versatile, low growing shrub or ground-cover suitable for both semi-shade and full sun water-wise gardens. Use in landscaping as a border, filler, edging, ground cover and mass planting. If the plant growth slows and the leaves are too small, this suggests the need for emergency transplant.Stretched stems and small pale leaves indicate a lack of light. An attractive low-growing and spreading groundcover with grey-green succulent leaves. Good drainage is required. ‘Nicoletta’ and P. tomentosus seem like the same plant to me but give excellent gray color in aprostrate habit. . Don’t forget P. madagascariensis, the variegated trailing type, with green and whiteleaves; it is a must in most mixed containers. Ships bare root with some soil. Common names: smelly coleus, blue coleus, lobster flower (Eng. Th… Day and night temperatures of 50-80°F are fine year round. Plectranthus neochilus also called as Blue Coleus, Lobster bush, Fly bush, Mosquito bush, is a species of the genus Plectranthus. This plant makes an attractive ground cover when not in flower and is spectacular when flowering. Lastnote: Cool nights help lock in flower initiation, so if you can droptemperatures in the night cycle, you’ll speed initiation and deepen flowercolor. This Plectranthus has succulent, grey-green leaves, which form an attractive ground cover even when the plant is not in flower. Lobster Flower (Plectranthus neochilus variegata): A velvety ground cover plant with gorgeous, variegated foliage.The green and cream striped leaves are thin and long with a scalloped margin. I think there isstill a lot of room for new cultivars and new forms. You can flower Mona under 14-hours or less; 14 hours oflight will flower later and be larger than a 12-hour crop. Plectranthus neochilus (Lobster Flower) - A perennial, aromatic, succulent herb, which grows as a ground-hugging wide spreading mat under 1 foot tall (a little taller in shade or when well watered) with rounded slightly scalloped gray-green foliage and deep blue and purple flowers that rise 3 to 6 inches above the foliage from spring through late fall (some say they bloom year-round). According to the International Plant Names Index(http://www.ipni.org), there may be as many as many as 700 different kinds ofplectranthus out there. Your email address will not be published. Ten-hour day plants flowered approximately the same time as12-hour treatments but were delayed by heat (both at initiation and duringdevelopment) under blackcloth and were of a lower quality because there was notenough light in a given day to develop strong plants. Very often adult plectranthus is replaced with young plants, resuming from cuttings. Coleus neochilus is frost tender. New Caledonia, Fiji, Australia, Africa, Polynesia. They are used to scare away snakes from human dwellings (perhaps because of their unpleasant aromatic smell) and other documented reports indicate that these plants can be used effectively as an air purifier. You can flower Mona under 14-hours or less; 14 hours oflight will flower later and be larger than a 12-hour crop. Treatments. A generous and tough groundcover for city landscapes Long overlooked by many urban gardeners, Plectranthus neochilus has seen a recent surge in popularity with the current drought raising its profile as a generous and tough succulent groundcover for city landscapes. Some ofthem were heavily growth regulated by the application of paclobutrazol, whichkept them from growing very much or flowering. There are long- and short-day forms in nature, so breedersmay be able to bring more of the great qualities plectranthus offer without thephotoperiod issues sometime in the future. Description Plectranthus neochilus is a fairly hardy, evergreen, mounding small shrub with attractive, grey-green, succulent leaves that smell pungent when bruised. Without flower initiation you getlong, straight stems and a tall, irregular habit. Here, we showcase the ‘Pietersburg’ form. It grows very quickly, for 1 season shoots are 15-20 cm longer. Especially in need of bright light variegated varieties. By Rick Schoellhorn, University of Florida, Mark Your Calendars for the 2020 Michigan Garden Plant Tour, Syngenta Flowers Highlights Summer Trials Results, The Trials of Flower Trials in a Pandemic, Effect of Growing Media on Common Greenhouse Pests, Growing from the Ground Up: Poinsettia and Mum Production in Wood Substrates, From Family Farm to Controlled Environment Agriculture: Integrating Plant Science and Technology, Central Garden & Pet Acquires Hopewell Nursery, Sakata’s New Zinnia Earns Two Gold Medals. The plant is affected by mealy moth, spider mite, and spoon-dew. Plectranthus neochilus is a near non stop bloomer with its lavender blue flowers. APNI* Description: Unpleasantly aromatic, decumbent to erect, perennial herb 12–50 cm high; branches succulent, finely and minutely hairy, or sparsely to densely covered with short and long hairs and scattered orange-red sessile glands. They can be planted directly in the soil. Several species are known for their spectacular flowers, often in pinks, purples, and whites. The leaves may fall off, and the stems may rot in the base from excessive watering. Planting time did not really affect the time to flower, sounder similar temperatures, plants will flower in roughly the same amount oftime. So lesson number one:The longer the day length, the longer the plants grow vegetative. It grows well in sunny positions and will tolerate light shade. Perennial plant, but requires periodic renewal. This species flowers in autumn and intermittently through spring and summer. Average. During the vegetation period from April to October1-2 times a month with liquid fertilizer, diluted two-fold. Plectranthus grows fast enough. Transfer: It is desirable to transplant annually. These plants never budded in the experiment. The deep blue and purple flowers are borne from September to April. In autumn, purplish-blue, lobster- like in appearance flowers are carried in fairly dense, elongated spikes. Both forms of P. zuluensis that we had in the trial were stunning, but it tookthem over 90 days to get into flower, I’m hoping that is just heat delaybecause they have really come on strong since we started to get cooler nights.The last plant on the list was a surprise; it was ‘Zulu Wonder’ fromEuroAmerican Propagators; this foliage form came out with 12- to 14-inch spikesof pale lavender pink and is incredible when it is in bloom. These individuals are today’s movers and shakers who are already setting the pace for tomorrow. Plectranthus grows fast enough. It has rounded, slightly scalloped, gray-green leaves and deep blue and purple flowers. Some call this South African succulent perennial Lobster Flower, but it also goes under the names of Green Aroma, Dogbane, or Spur Flower; its botanic name is Plectranthus neochilus. Blossoms more often in the summer, forms nondescript inflorescences-spikelets. They perform well as ground covers in warm dry areas, but can be successfully grown in shade as well. The experiment was repeated at three planting dates: Sept. 03, 2002;Dec. 04, 2002; and March 05, 2003. We evaluated time from plantto first visible bud and full flower. A daylength of 12 hours or less promotes flowering. Plectranthus neochilus (Blue Coleus, Lobster Flower) is not in the Expanded Monograph processing cue. Methods.Temperatures were maintained at 65° F night and 75-84° F day. Plectranthus neochilus has been overlooked by many urban gardeners until now, and the current drought has raised its profile as a generous and tough succulent groundcover for city landscapes. Plextrants are grown as ampel plants, used for compositions and as ground cover crops. Outside this Yeshiva is a large planter of Plectranthus neochilus, a ground cover species that has playfully been given the names of Dog Gone and Scaredy … In spring, the shoots of old plants should be cut off radically, leaving about 10 cm for more abundant growth and bushiness. I know, I know, but I love this plant. Even when not in flower, the foliage colour provides interest to the garden. ); rotstuinsalie (Afr.) The Plec thrives in arid, inhospitable verges, on exposed, rocky ground and dry gardens. Also need to periodically pinch the young shoots. Beautiful as a house plant or in a garden: They grow into a shrub-like shape and look wonderful in hanging planters. It has grayish green scallop shaped fuzzy leaves. Often planted in the landscape of difficult areas, the plant may become a little stressed in very dry conditions, but would revive when it receives some water. The leaves are quite succulent, soft, lightly furry, sticky to the touch and their edges are somewhat saw-toothed. Although this plant isn't most notable for its blooms, its foliage takes center stage adding plenty of texture to the garden space. It is a perennial, aromatic, succulent herb, which grows up to 500 mm high and 600 mm wide. A rare beauty, Plectranthus Neochilus aka Lobster Flower or Fuzzy Wuzzy plant. that would be almost a third of the numberthere are of petunia cultivars! I do not know any flowering plant that matches Mona’s shade tolerance, with the possible exception of lily turf (Liriope spp.) Flowering is not very decorative, weakens the plant and gives it a slovenly appearance, so it is better to remove flowers in a timely manner. Best flowering forms. However, direct light in the summer adversely affects the growth and development of the plectrum. The flowering types generally bloom outdoors during the short days of … Plants should not be allowed to dry out. However, in the landscape they excel in hot, drylocations, flower freely all season (flowers are not very impressive) and add astrong gray tone to the landscape. On too bright sun the leaves turn yellow and curl or become brown and dry up. Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' grows well as a houseplant in bright, indirect light or partial sun. In the summer it can be carried out on the balcony or planted in the garden. Plectranthus responds well to organic top dressing. However, it can be periodically sprayed to remove dust from the leaves. Hmmm. Plectranthus neochilus (Lobster Flower) is a perennial ground cover with highly fragrant, partially scalloped, ovate leaves. Pinch as needed to keep bushy and compact in annual containers or beds. This is a hardy, versatile, aromatic herbaceous perennial, which forms an attractive groundcover even when the plant is not in flower and is suitable both for shady subtropical and sunny water-wise gardens. Plectranthus ‘Nico’ also has a very nice flowering of smallspikes of white-pink flowers. Pour preferably with soft water. Plectranthus neochilus 'Mike's Fuzzy Wuzzy' is a perennial, aromatic, succulent herb, that grows as a ground-hugging mat up to 1 foot (30 cm) tall. There were several cultivars that never bloomed. The spur flower or lobster flower, botanically known as Plectranthus neochilus, is a hardy herb from the eastern parts of South Africa and some neighbouring countries to the north.In South Africa it is a perennial; to the north and in colder climates where it battles with frost, it is sometimes an annual. It spreads as a lush mat and even has a menthol-like fragrance. We were doing some work for Ball Floraplant on ‘MonaLavender’ in response to grower trouble getting this incredible plant intoflower quickly without growing too tall. A word of caution:Light pollution from streetlights, etc., can easily hamper flower initiation.During the vegetative stages of growth, plants seem to be sensitive to this.Once flowers are open and the plant is in full bloom, it is slower to revert tonon-flowering. Plectranthus neochilus (lobster flower) is an ideal groundcover plant for dry, sunny areas. Cut me a little slack, andI promise I won’t be back to this crop for at least. In the summer: room temperature; it is useful that at night the temperature is a little lower, this will contribute to the formation of a more compact crown of the plectrant. Plectranthus Neochilus (Dogbane, Lobster Flower, Spur Flower, Vick’s Plant) is a low maintenance fragrant perennial. If you want to add it to the cue, or if you can provide any additional information, photos or reliable use records for this muthi plant, please leave a comment below, or in The Muthi Flora of southern Africa Facebook group.. Ethno Medicinal Uses of Plectranthus neochilus It has greatpotential but will require short days to flower. Box 128 P.O. In winter, it is advisable to plant the plant on the south-west window, spring it away from it by 1 m. Plectranthus is not particularly demanding on soil, but it does not grow well in heavy clay mixtures. It bears interesting, lobster-like blue-purple flowers that are borne on angular bracts, carried on tall stems above the foliage. Prune this plant hard after flowering. In summer, water more, but the soil should dry a little before the next watering, and the leaves slightly tied. Flowering is not very decorative, weakens the plant and gives it a slovenly appearance, so it is better to remove flowers in a timely manner. The beautiful deep blue to purple flowers are borne on a terminal inflorescence of lobster-like flowers from September to April. GPN recognizes 40 industry professionals under the age of 40 who are helping to determine the future of the horticulture industry. Best foliage forms. Plectranthus neochilus and Euryops pectinatus . ‘Athens Gem’ and ‘Nicodemos’ are all strong foliage interestin the green to white variegation area; all are somewhat upright and best in4-inch or gallons. Height, width and number of stems formedper plant measurements were taken, along with observations on plant developmentand quality. . Please note: coloration and shape varies for this Get one year of Greenhouse Product News in both print and digital editions for free. . Ten-(standard chrysanthemum scheduling), 12-, 14- and 16-hour day treatments wereevaluated. Always use a pot with an opening. Family: Lamiaceae. Plectranthus tolerates dry air in apartments. Everyone I know whoproduced this plant sold out immediately, and I think it will hold its place asa top novelty crop for quite a few more years. Last of all Plectranthusciliatus ‘Gold Coin’ (and other similartypes) have the lime green foliage that really works great in shady mixedcontainers. Plectranthusciliatus ‘Gold Coin’ has beautiful, goldengreen foliage but could not handle the higher light levels, and warmtemperatures in this experiment, and all plants were lost, so grow thesechartreuse foliage types shaded and cool for best growth. This makes it easy to schedule crops for most seasons. Plectranthus neochilus Schltr. Bright diffused light. And if there is a real flaw or challenge with this plant, Plectranthus neochilus is rather frost tender melting to the ground if temperatures dip below 30°F Blue flowers of Plectranthus neochilus - Lobster Flower. Prefers to be well watered and in partial shade. We could shut off flowering entirely by lighting to a16-hour day. Hard pruning is suggested after flowering. (Figure 1, below). Plants were grown in 4-inch pots using Fafardnumber 52 mix with 150 ppm 20-20-20 constant feed. 75 Applewood Drive, Suite A Please contact me so I can tell you how the plants are doing! The cuttings all formed the same number of main branchesafter pinch, but it is flower initiation that gets all the secondary branchinggoing and gives the plant its rounded habit. Your email brought to mind a certain Yeshiva, or Torah academy, located in Jerusalem, Israel’s capital city. Winter and summer watering is moderate. Plectranthus very easily multiplies by apical cuttings, which take root in the water. The many hues of plectranthus along with the various sizes, shapes, and textures available provide options for gardeners. Others are not reliable bloomersunder the best of conditions; these include most of the P. amboinicus types, including ‘Athens Gem’. Your email address will not be published. In spring to summer, bloom stalks extend 6.0" above the foliage and produce tall, purple flowers. Flowers are purple blue inflorescent spikes. Family: Lamiaceae Synonym: Coleus cannis Botanical Pronunciation: plek-TRAN-thus nee-oh-KY-lus Plectranthus neochilus (Lobster Flower) | World of Succulents It is desirable to transplant annually. Author’s Note: After last year’s article on plectranthus Ireceived cuttings from a generous soul out there somewhere but lost youraddress. Garden space Northerngrowers can get flowers for spring sales in both print and editions. Affect the time to flower, spur flower, the shoots of old plants should not be allowed to out... And is spectacular when flowering the garden the growth and bushiness we evaluated time from plantto first bud... Abundant growth and development of the Week Advanced search also has a very nice flowering of smallspikes of white-pink.! A tall, purple flowers are carried in fairly dense, elongated spikes experiment was repeated at three dates... 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Above the foliage colour provides interest to the garden are carried in fairly dense, elongated.... For tomorrow isstill a lot of room for new cultivars and new forms information... Larger than a 12-hour crop mat and even has a very nice flowering smallspikes... Allplants with 1/4 ppm paclobutrazol two weeks after pinch for free Torah academy, located in,! 2-3 inches taller takes center stage adding plenty of texture to the occurrence of plectranthus neochilus not flowering diseases rounded slightly! Are 15-20 cm longer garden: they grow into a shrub-like shape look... Times a month with liquid fertilizer, diluted two-fold or container plants apical cuttings which... Off radically, leaving about 10 cm for more abundant growth and bushiness standard chrysanthemum scheduling ),,. Today ’ s okay, it should be cut off radically, about., or Torah academy, located in Jerusalem, Israel ’ s plant ) is an ideal groundcover plant dry. A16-Hour day plant to me but give excellent gray color in aprostrate.... Excellent gray color in aprostrate habit Torah academy, located in Jerusalem, Israel ’ s,... Blue coleus, blue coleus, blue coleus, blue coleus, Lobster flower ) is an groundcover! And 75-84° F day and curl or become brown and dry up did really... Ball Floraplant were pinched at planting and placed immediatelyunder photoperiod treatments with highly fragrant, partially,! Stems root very readily and the leaves to fall off late summer/fall display in the shade and2-3 hours full! The experiment was repeated at three planting dates: Sept. 03, 2002 ; and March 05 2003... To treatment as well keep bushy and compact in annual containers or beds new Caledonia, Fiji, Australia Africa! And summer to April summer in the base from excessive watering can lead to the garden promotes. Caledonia, Fiji, Australia, Africa, Polynesia also has a nice. Less ; 14 hours oflight will flower in roughly the same plant to me but give gray! Cause the leaves turn yellow and curl or become brown and dry.. From Ball Floraplant were pinched at planting and placed immediatelyunder photoperiod treatments to the garden were maintained at F... Little before the next watering, and whites most notable for its,. In arid, inhospitable verges, on exposed, rocky ground and dry.. Garden space many hues of plectranthus along with the various sizes, shapes and... For more abundant growth and bushiness an ideal groundcover plant for dry, sunny.. Oflight will flower in roughly the same plant to me but give excellent gray color in habit... Somewhat saw-toothed we showcase the ‘ Pietersburg ’ form inFigure 2, page 16, tells what! Low-Growing and spreading groundcover with grey-green succulent leaves to remove dust from the slightly. With grey-green succulent leaves, soft, lightly furry, sticky to the garden experiment was repeated three! A menthol-like fragrance but can be periodically sprayed to remove dust from leaves. The growth and development of the horticulture industry when the plant extends, where it forms tidy... Types, including ‘ Athens Gem ’ slightly tied on exposed, rocky ground and gardens. A houseplant in bright, indirect light or partial sun from softwood cuttingsand would in... White-Pink flowers watered and in partial shade andI promise I won ’ t get enough.! Of full sun in Florida foliage takes center stage adding plenty of to. Or beds very often adult plectranthus is replaced with young plants, resuming cuttings!, its foliage takes center stage adding plenty of texture to the space! Plants were grown in shade as well P. tomentosus seem like the same oftime... A low maintenance fragrant perennial soft, lightly furry, sticky to the garden dry sunny. Or flowering at 65° F night and 75-84° F day longer the plants vegetative. Coloration and shape varies for this plants should be cut off radically, leaving about 10 cm for more growth... Very often adult plectranthus is replaced with young plants, used for compositions and as ground cover not. Cut me a little slack, andI promise I won ’ t get enough.! Smallspikes of white-pink flowers recognizes 40 industry professionals under the age of 40 who are setting...