Plectranthus ecklonii
Plectranthus ecklonii
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Plectranthus ecklonii is native to the moist coastal subtropical and afrotemperate forest and forest margins of easern S. Africa. It is able to tolerate short-lived, mild frosts and is grown as an ornamental in warm temperate regions[1, 2]. Rainfall within its range is mainly during the summer months and ranges from 1,000 - 1,750mm per annum[3]. Prefers a position in semi-shade[1]. Grows best in a rich, well-drained soil[4]. Often grown as an ornamental, there are several named varieties[3]. When grown as an ornamental garden plant, it is best to prune the plant back hard during the dormant season[3]. A fast-growing plant[3].
Propagation
Seed - sow in well-drained soil, covering lightly with a thin layer of sand, and place in a warm but shaded spot in a greenhouse. The seed germinates in about three weeks[3]. Cuttings of Plectranthus species generally root easily - soft tips root faster than semi-hardwood growth. The cuttings are best taken 60 - 100mm long with three or four nodes, making the cut just below a node. Place them in sand, perlite, vermiculite or peat, or any mixture of these, keep them moist and shaded and they should root in 2 - 3 weeks[3]. Cuttings can also be rooted in situ. Stems around 15 - 20cm long, keeping the top leaves, are used and should rapidly form roots so long as they are kept moist[3]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Plectranthus+ecklonii>
Pollinators
Insects
References
- [1]Flora of Southern Africa — Roux J.P. · 2003 · http://plants.jstor.org/search?st=662545 ↩︎An excellent on-line resource.
- [2]Plant species first recognised as naturalised for New South Wales in 2002 and 2003, with additional comments on spec — Hosking J.R.; Conn B.J.; Lepschi B.J.; Barker C.H. · 2007 ↩︎
- [3]PlantZAfrica.com — http://www.plantzafrica.com ↩︎An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
- [4]Bihrmann's Caudiciforms — http://www.bihrmann.com/caudiciforms/ ↩︎An internet site giving information on caudiciform plants (plants with swollen stem bases such as the Baobab tree, cycads and many succulents). Excellent photos, usually of cultivated plants in pots.
- [5]Plectranthus: A review of ethnobotanical uses — Lukhoba C.W.; Simmonds M.S.J.; Paton A.J. · 2006 ↩︎An excellent guide to the uses of Plectranthus species, giving the basic uses and the literature supporting this.
- [6]African Flowering Plants Database — Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques. · http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php ↩︎Contains information on over 150,000 plant names (including synonyms) giving a description and habitat, plus a distribution map.
- [7]Plectranthus: A plant for the future? — Rice L.J.; Brits G.J.; Potgieter C.J.; Van Staden J. · 2011 ↩︎A review of the Plectranthus species with potential as economic plants