| Life form | Grassy, shrub, ampel. |
| Family | Labiateae |
| Origin | New Caledonia, Fiji, Australia, Africa, Polynesia. |
| Ease of cultivation | Lung |
| The size | Up to 60-80 cm in height and width. |
| Growth rate | It grows very quickly, for 1 season shoots are 15-20 cm longer. |
| Lifespan | Perennial plant, but requires periodic renewal. |
| Temperature | 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. 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. |
| Humidity | Average. Plectranthus tolerates dry air in apartments. However, it can be periodically sprayed to remove dust from the leaves. |
| Lighting | Bright diffused light. Especially in need of bright light variegated varieties. However, direct light in the summer adversely affects the growth and development of the plectrum. In winter, it is advisable to plant the plant on the south-west window, spring it away from it by 1 m. |
| The soil | Plectranthus is not particularly demanding on soil, but it does not grow well in heavy clay mixtures. It can be taken for the composition of their own making: 1 part leaf, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part peat. Good drainage is required. Always use a pot with an opening. |
| Watering | Winter and summer watering is moderate. In summer, water more, but the soil should dry a little before the next watering, and the leaves slightly tied. In winter, it should be watered occasionally and gradually; excessive watering can lead to the occurrence of fungal diseases. However, complete drying of the soil is not allowed, because this can cause the leaves to fall off. Pour preferably with soft water. |
| Fertilizer | During the vegetation period from April to October1-2 times a month with liquid fertilizer, diluted two-fold. Plectranthus responds well to organic top dressing. |
| Reproduction | Plectranthus very easily multiplies by apical cuttings, which take root in the water. They can be planted directly in the soil. |
| Bloom | Blossoms more often in the summer, forms nondescript inflorescences-spikelets. 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. |
| Transfer | It is desirable to transplant annually. Plectranthus grows fast enough. Very often adult plectranthus is replaced with young plants, resuming from cuttings. |
| Features of care | In spring, the shoots of old plants should be cut off radically, leaving about 10 cm for more abundant growth and bushiness. Also need to periodically pinch the young shoots. Plextrants are grown as ampel plants, used for compositions and as ground cover crops. In the summer it can be carried out on the balcony or planted in the garden. |
| Difficulties | The plant is affected by mealy moth, spider mite, and spoon-dew. 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. On too bright sun the leaves turn yellow and curl or become brown and dry up. The leaves may fall off, and the stems may rot in the base from excessive watering. |
| Air cleaning | – |
| Toxicity | – |
