Scientific Name
Plectranthus hadiensis (Forssk.) Schweinf. ex Sprenger
Common Name(s)
Hairy Spurflower
Synonym(s)
Coleus forsskaolii, Coleus personatus, Coleus rupestris, Coleus schweinfurthii, Coleus zeylanicus, Germanea forsskaolii, Germanea horrida, Majana forsskaolii, Ocimum hadiense, Plectranthus cyaneus, Plectranthus draconis, Plectranthus erlangeri, Plectranthus forsskaolii, Plectranthus fragrans, Plectranthus hararensis, Plectranthus horridus, Plectranthus pachyphyllus, Plectranthus paucicrenatus, Plectranthus petrensis, Plectranthus ramosior, Plectranthus rupestris, Plectranthus tomentosus, Plectranthus woodii, Plectranthus zeylanicus
Scientific Classification
Family: Lamiaceae
Subfamily: Nepetoideae
Tribe: Ocimeae
Genus: Plectranthus
Description
Plectranthus hadiensis is an attractive shrub with semi-succulent stems and leaves arranged alternately with axillary buds at the base of petioles. It grows up to 5 feet (1.5 m) tall and up to 3.3 feet (1 m) wide. Stems are red at the base. Leaves are ovate to round, up to 4 inches (10 cm) wide, soft and hairy, green, and sometimes variegated. Margins of the leaves are toothed with 4 to 14 pairs of teeth. The terminal inflorescences are simple, up to 20 inches (50 cm) long, with 1 to 2 pairs of side branches near the base. Flowers are mauve to white, arranged in a whorl up to 1 foot (30 cm) apart. Flowers appear from fall to winter.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Plectranthus species are easily cultivated and require little extra attention or special treatment. They enjoy well-composted soil, and as a rule, they thrive in semi-shade or cool positions on south-facing aspects. These plants are ideally suited to grow under the shade of trees. They are generally shallow rooted and enjoy adequate water, but Plectranthus store water in their stems and resist prolonged periods of drought.
These plants are often grown for their attractive foliage, flowers, or both and vary in their growth forms from dense prostrate ground covers to sub-shrubs and large shrubs.
Although they are frost tender Plectranthus are usually grown in shady, protected places and, as such, are afforded some protection from frost. Frost does not affect flowering because they all flower at the end of the growing season. If the plants are affected by frost, they can be cut back at the end of winter and will grow out rapidly. Once the plants have been established for a year or more, they become woodier at the base and are more resistant to frost damage.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Plectranthus.
Origin
This species has a widespread distribution from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces in South Africa to the Arabian Peninsula.
Varieties
Links
- Back to genus Plectranthus
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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