hilliardiaessp.autrale ‘‘Magwa’.It displays the parental traits of both plants, with both vibrant leaves and lavender blossoms.
Its care needs are very much like otherPlectranthusplants.
This sturdy little tropical plant is easy to grow and will thrive with minimal care.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
(Plectranthusplants are often known as spur flowers.)
‘Mona Lavender’thrives indoors as a houseplantand also makes for a no-fuss shrubby perennial when planted outdoors in warm climates.
It appreciates afternoon shade, especially in hot climates.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
The plant tolerates full shade, but the foliage colors and blooms will not be as intense.
Choose rich, loamy soil that drains well.
Water
‘Mona Lavender’ will grow best when provided with both regular and even moisture.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
However, verify the soil drains well to avoid root rot.
Fertilizer
‘Mona Lavender’ can be fertilized every six to ten weeks with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer.
For the amount to use, follow the product label instructions.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
In alkaline soils, fertilizing with an acidifying fertilizer can help improve both foliage color and flowering.
Types of Plectranthus
‘Mona Lavender’ is a first-generation hybrid cross betweenP.
autrale ‘Magwa’, and there are no additional cultivars of that cross.
Seed collected from the plant will not grow true to the parent, as it’s a hybrid variety.
Sow the seeds shallowly, just barely covering them with mix.
Seedlings usually emerge in seven to 14 days.
Before planting outdoors,harden off the seedlingsfor a week.
confirm to move the seedlings indoors if freezing temps are expected.
This hardening-off process toughens the plant cells and minimizes transplant shock.
Any pot material will work but see to it the pot is well-draining.
When temperatures rise above freezing in the late spring, you could shift your plant outside for the summer.
Or, it’s possible for you to propagate a stem cutting and discard the parent plant.
Fertilizer should be withheld, as it stimulates foliage growth at the expense of flowering.
The same holds true for plants being grown indoors if you want them to bloom robustly.
Occasional pests can include whiteflies, aphids, and spider mites during the summer months.
Pests are sometimes more troublesome when ‘Mona Lavender’ is grown indoors as a houseplant.
Thus, except for gardeners in the deep South,Plectranthusis more often grown as an indoor potted houseplant.
To enjoy plentiful indoor blooms, you will need to give it lots of bright light.
Failure to bloom is usually the result of not enough light or too much high nitrogen fertilizer.
Excessive feeding causes these plants to develop foliage but may compromise the flowering.
It’s best to withhold fertilizer as these plants enter the bloom season, then resume again in spring.
This is a common problem in northern climates where daylight hours are short in winter.
When you notice leaf-curling, this is always a sign that the plants are in need of water.
These plants love moisture, but also need good drainage to prevent root rot.
In suitably warm climates,Plectranthuscan serve as a semi-woody shrub that lives for decades.
Potted plants grown as houseplants typically live about five years.
Some gardeners may get a short fall bloom period before the plant dies from the cold.
Pentranthus ‘Mona Lavender’.North Carolina State Extension.
Growing Plectranthus.White Flower Farm.
Plentranthus Pleases Foliage Lovers.
Coleus, Plectranthus, and Solenostemon.
