Sabrina Hahn: How to grow plectranthus and the best new varieties to plant in your garden

Plectranthus are fabulous shade plants that add foliage colour and long flowering spikes throughout the year. They belong to the sage group of plants with more than 85 different species. Most are found in southern and tropical Africa and Madagascar. All plectranthus species are shade lovers and in WA they will not survive anything but dappled light and complete afternoon sun protection in the hotter months. We do have our own species of plectranthus that is native to Queensland and New South Wales, called Plectranthus argentatus. It has beautiful furry soft silver leaves and spikes of white flowers held high above the foliage. It can only be found in older gardens and rarely in nurseries, which is a shame because it’s a hardy plectranthus that suit our climate. More recently the Velvet series was released and Plectranthus Mona Lavender has been available for many years now. The latest series includes Velvet Idol, Mona White, Mona Amethyst, Velvet Lady and Velvet Elvis. They all feature soft green leaves with a deep purple underside. They flower prolifically on and off all year round with purple, pale purple and pink flowers. Plectranthus will not tolerate frost or heavy soils. They grow well in sandy, improved soils and look great in pots. I have seen them listed as indoor plants but I wouldn’t recommend it. Plant into composted soil with a small amount of cow manure and slow-release fertiliser. Prune lightly after each flowering flush to keep them compact and free flowering. Plectranthus will require summer watering and mulching. Mine grow in pots and in a south-facing garden bed underneath cycads and cane begonias. They provide winter colour and foliage contrast in a predominantly green garden. Plectranthus fit well into a fernery and along shaded stone paths or walls. I got my native Plectranthus argentatus from a cutting in a friend’s garden and I now use it as an accent plant in a white-flowering shady garden. All plectranthus are so easy to grow from a cutting, taken at anytime of the year except winter. Tip Some plectranthus have scented leaves like salvias and sage, as they are in the same family. They can be grown among other shade loving plants in pots for patios and verandas. Three jobs to do 1. Grow lettuce in pots in a sunny spot and liquid fertilise fortnightly for continued cropping over winter. 2. Keep planting out primula, dianthus, polyanthus and stocks for cut flowers to bring inside this winter. 3. Plant rhubarb crowns into prepared soil, making sure manure doesn’t come into contact with the crown.