Lamiaceae FAMILY

Clerodendrum laevifolium

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitEvergreen Shrub

Growth—

Clerodendrum laevifolium is usually found in moist climates in the tropical and subtropical zones. Succeeds in full sun to dappled shade, growing best in a moist but well-drained, fertile soil^[1]. Often cultivated as an ornamental, the plant has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized in some areas. It is currently (2014) considered to be a low risk of becoming an invasive weed, but should be monitored^[2]. Flowers are produced on the current seasons growth and so, to encourage flowering, any pruning is best carried out when the plant is dormant^[3].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as possible. Germination can be erratic but usually takes place within 20 - 60 days at 20°c^[4]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out. Root cuttings, 6 - 8cm long. High percentage^[5]. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Very easy, they can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Clerodendrum+laevifolium>

Pollinators

Lepidoptera, Bees

References

[1]Tropical Flowering Plants. A Guide to Identification and Cultivation. — Llamas K.A. · Timber Press; Oregon. · 2003 · ISBN 0-88192-585-3 ↩︎A terse guide for the gardener to almost 1,500 species of ornamental tropical plants with brief details on their cultivation and, usually, a small photograph of good quality.
[2]Invasive Species Compendium — http://www.cabi.org ↩︎An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
[3]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[4]Growing from Seed. Volume 4. — Bird. R. (Editor) · Thompson and Morgan. · 1990 · ISBN - ↩︎Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.
[5]Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. — Sheat. W. G. · MacMillan and Co · 1948 · ISBN - ↩︎A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
[6]Flora of China — Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. · 1994 · http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ ↩︎An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
[PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎