Family LAMIACEAE
Genus Plectranthus
Species ciliatus
SA Plant Number
Basionym Plectranthus ciliatus

Plectranthus ciliatus is an outstanding fairly hardy, evergreen groundcover with attractive quilted leaves that have purple undersides and purple stems.

It has spikes of white or mauve flowers from September to May, that attract insects and butterflies to the garden. In lightly shaded areas this attractive flowering groundcover provides colour with its maroon-purple leaves all year round and white or mauve flowers in season.

The variety Plectranthus ciliatus "Richard" bears mauve to pink flowers

Plant in containers or hanging baskets as well as in the open ground.

Care of Spur Flowers is relatively easy. Plant in a shady to semi-shade spot, in well-composted soil with adequate water and prune back lightly after flowering.

Formerly used to wash sheepskin garments and other clothing.

Size Up to 60cm

Butterfly Host Plant: Plectranthus ciliatus is a host plant to a number of South African Butterfly species: Bush Bronze, Mocker Blue, Eyed Pansy, Garden Inspector, the March Commodor and the African Leaf Commodor Please don't spray your plants with insecticide when you see that the leaves are being eaten - this will mean the hungry caterpillars will not mature to become beautiful butterflies. Caterpillars also nourish the soil that their droppings fall on with "free" fertiliser!

Nectar Plant: Plectranthus ciliatus flowers attract honeybees, butterflies, carpenter bees, bombyliid flies and many tiny pollinating insects.

Landscaping: Beautiful groundcover for shady and dappled shade areas. Rewarding hanging basket subject and container plant. Pinch off growing points periodically to encourage dense, strong growth when grown in containers or hanging baskets.

Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, Swaziland, Limpopo, Gauteng

Biome:Forest

Natural Habitat Evergreen Forest, Forest margin  

Growth Rate: Fast Growing, Evergreen or Deciduous: Evergreen, Hardiness - Frost: Susceptible to Frost, Plant Type: Groundcovers and Perennials, Position: Semi-shade, Position: Shade, Soil: Loamy - Compost rich Soil, Garden Uses: Butterfly Host, Garden Uses: Container Plant, Garden Uses: Groundcover, Garden Uses: Local to Gauteng, Garden Uses: Long Flowering, Garden Uses: Rockeries and retaining walls, Garden Uses: Shade, Garden Uses: Small Gardens, Hardiness - Drought: Needs Watering, Flower colour: Blue and shades of purple, Flower colour: White - Cream, Garden type: Forest Garden, Garden type: Wildlife Garden,

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