Genus · Lamiaceae
Plectranthus
4 species tracked in Horta’s catalog, and the named cultivars growers keep. Walk down to a species for its full care record, or into a cultivar for its traits and provenance.
Species in this genus
The ones growers meet most — each links to its own page.
Plectranthus verticillatus
Whorled Plectranthus
A trailing southern African subshrub in the mint family, with soft, semi-succulent leaves that hold some water and resent staying wet. Give it bright, indirect light and let the top inch of mix dry before watering, then water deeply. It tolerates ordinary household humidity and dislikes soggy, poorly drained soil.
Plectranthus ciliatus
Speckled Spur Flower
Plectranthus ciliatus is a trailing, soft-stemmed subshrub from the shaded, summer-moist forest margins of southern Africa, so it wants steady but not constant moisture rather than drought or waterlogging. Give it bright indirect light and water when the top inch of mix has dried, easing off in cooler, darker months. Its soft foliage wilts noticeably when thirsty, which is a reliable cue to water before the soil goes bone dry.
Plectranthus ecklonii
Ecklon Spurflower
Plectranthus ecklonii is a soft-wooded shrub from the summer-rainfall regions of southern Africa, where it grows in dappled light at forest margins and among rocks. It wants bright indirect light and a soil that dries partway between waterings; let the top inch or two of mix dry, then water thoroughly. Its leaves wilt visibly when too dry, but standing wet will rot the soft stems, so err toward the drier side.
Plectranthus zuluensis
Zulu Spur-flower
Plectranthus zuluensis is a soft-stemmed subshrub from the summer-rainfall regions of southern Africa, where it grows in dappled light at woodland edges. Its fleshy, aromatic foliage stores some moisture, so let the top inch of mix dry before watering and err toward the drier side to avoid soft-stem rot. Give it bright, indirect light and free-draining soil.
About the genus
A genus-level overview — shared traits, history, the botany that ties these plants together — is on its way. For now, the species and cultivars above and below carry the genus.
Kept true by its growers
Plectranthus keeps evolving — species move, cultivars appear, IDs get corrected. If you can place an unplaced plant or add a species we’re missing, the whole genus gets truer.
Overview derived from 4 tracked species · the contribute flow arrives with the next slice.