Page 21 - feb21

can tolerate short periods of
drought as they store water in their
stems. They are easily propagated,
and only require pruning for
cosmetic reasons. Plectranthus
species are not frost-tolerant, but
the perennial species will come
back after each winter in locations
that receive cold winters.

Plectranthus plants can flower
multiple times a year and depending
on the species, flowers can be
purple, pink, white, or blue. They
are noted for their aromatic leaves
when crushed or even brushed
against, and the variety of aromas
is as diverse as the genus itself.
Plectranthus flowers produce
large amounts of nectar, attracting
many insects which transfer pollen
between flowers.
The amount of light required to
grow Plectranthus depends on
the species. However, as a general
rule of thumb, most Plectranthus
species appreciate bright, indirect
light. A few can tolerate direct sun
but may suffer from leaf burn if
exposed to direct sun for too long.
When growing Plectranthus
outdoors, choose a spot that
receives sun for only part of the
day, or a spot that is in the shade
completely like beneath a tree.
When grown indoors, a location
that receives good light for most
of the day is ideal.
One of the most important points
of growing Plectranthus is ensuring
they are planted in a well-draining
potting medium. Plectranthus do
not tolerate ‘wet feet’ - meaning
their roots cannot sit in wet or
soggy soil for prolonged periods
of time. Ana Tree by Karin Duthie
Text & Photos by Karin Duthie