Swedish ivy (Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender')
Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender', or Swedish ivy, offers uniquely fragrant lavender flowers and glossy, dark green leaves, thriving as a patio plant or houseplant in Zones 10-11.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ is a sought-after hybrid known for its vigorous, upright, and bushy growth habit, distinguishing itself from many relatives by showcasing truly attractive floral displays. Unlike typical ornamental coleus varieties, this specific cultivar was developed in South Africa primarily for its abundant lavender-hued blooms, produced reliably over a long seasonal period. Gardeners prize this plant, often recognized as Swedish ivy, for its glossy, dark green foliage, which often features purple undersides, providing excellent texture contrast in shade gardens or containers.
This herbaceous perennial is best suited for warmer climates, thriving year-round in USDA Zones 10 and 11, though it adapts remarkably well as a houseplant elsewhere. Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ requires careful management regarding moisture and temperature to maintain its compact, rounded form. Successful cultivation relies on consistent care, ensuring regular pruning and appropriate watering to encourage dense, healthy growth that showcases its signature lavender spikes.
The appeal of Swedish ivy lies in its versatility; it performs beautifully as bedding annual color outside its hardiness range, or as a reliable feature in hanging baskets and patio containers. Its semi-succulent stems and attractive leaf structure ensure aesthetic value even when flowers are not present, making Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ a valuable addition requiring medium maintenance for optimal results.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-2 ft
- Spread: 1-2 ft
- Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
- Bloom Description: Lavender
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
For optimal performance outdoors in warmer zones, plant Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ in humusy, medium-moisture, well-drained soils during the appropriate season. Though it prefers part shade, houseplant specimens will perform best when situated in bright conditions, often requiring daily rotation to maintain even growth. Consistent cultural practices are key; aim for regular and even soil moisture, avoiding both extremes of drying out completely or becoming waterlogged.
Maintenance for this shrubby perennial involves proactive shaping. Gardeners should trim the new stem tips regularly throughout the growing season to encourage a compact, bushy habit and prevent legginess, a common issue if growth is too sparse. Once blooms fade, promptly remove the spent flower spikes to direct energy back into foliage production and prepare the plant for the next flush of color.
When growing as an indoor specimen, Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ requires temperatures consistently between 60-80°F. If you notice mites or mealybugs, careful inspection and prompt treatment with neem oil or insecticidal soap are recommended, as these are the most commonly encountered pests. Always ensure excellent air circulation, especially indoors, to maximize the health of your Swedish ivy.
Landscape Uses
Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ finds a home in numerous landscape settings where consistent part shade is available. It excels in borders in frost-free areas, providing dependable mid-height texture and color throughout the season. However, its cascading tendencies make it an exceptional choice for containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets positioned on decks or patios where its foliage and flowers can be easily admired up close.
Designers often utilize this plant as an anchor piece in mixed shade containers, pairing it with trailing ivies or fine-textured ferns that complement its glossy leaves. When used as a bedding plant for annual color in cooler climates, ensure it is planted densely enough to create a rich, mounded carpet effect. Its deep green leaves serve as a wonderful foil for plants displaying lighter green or chartreuse foliage.
As a houseplant, the Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ offers continuous visual interest, softening shelf edges or desktop corners. Grouping pots together helps create a microclimate that retains humidity, which is beneficial for maintaining the lush appearance of the foliage on your Swedish ivy.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Plectranthus is a genus of about 350 species of annuals, evergreen perennials, semi-succulents and shrubs from Africa, Madagascar, Asia, Australasia and Pacific Islands. Commonly called coleus, hybrid cultivars are widely grown as ornamentals. Cultivars range in size from dwarf 6” tall plants to large mounded 3’ tall plants, featuring showy, multi-colored, ovate leaves. MONA LAVENDER is a vigorous, upright, rounded, bushy perennial that typically grows to 2’ tall and as wide, primarily grown for its attractive lavender flowers which appear over a long bloom period resulting from a cross between P. Saccatus and P. Hilliardiae. Its glossy, ovate, dark green leaves are purplish underneath, contributing significant ornamental value.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ is generally regarded as resilient, typically showing no serious insect or disease problems under proper cultural care. The primary pests to monitor for are common houseplant nuisances, including mealybugs and spider mites, especially when the plant is grown indoors or in overly dry conditions. Regular inspection of the undersides of the leaves is crucial for early detection. If pests are found, control can usually be achieved quickly by isolating the affected Swedish ivy and treating it directly with horticultural oil or insecticidal soaps until the infestation subsides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Swedish ivy suitable for?
Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ is winter hardy outdoors in USDA Zones 10 through 11. In colder regions, it must be brought inside before frost threatens.
How large does Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ grow?
This plant typically achieves a height between 1 and 2 feet and a spread between 1 and 2 feet, forming a rounded, bushy shape when pruned regularly.
What sun exposure does Swedish ivy need?
Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ thrives best in part shade outdoors, requiring protection from intense afternoon sun. Indoor growers should provide the brightest possible exposure available.
When does Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ bloom?
This cultivar is noted as a seasonal bloomer, showcasing spikes of attractive lavender flowers over an extended period.
Conclusion
The Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking reliable structure, glossy foliage, and surprising floral bursts in shaded environments. Whether utilized as a vibrant bedding annual or a long-term houseplant, this Swedish ivy cultivar promises medium maintenance for high visual returns. Check your regional climate compatibility to see if you can enjoy this beauty year-round, or plan its transition indoors before winter arrives.
Companion Planting
When designing beds or containers for Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’, consider plants that share its preference for part shade and medium moisture. Hostas provide excellent broad foliage contrast to the smaller, glossier leaves of the lavender spikes. Shade-loving impatiens or tuberous begonias can be paired underneath or alongside the Swedish ivy to create a layered tapestry of color within the partially shaded area.
For container gardening, combine the upright structure of the Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ with spilling plants like creeping Jenny or silver falls dichondra. These trailers will drape gracefully over the edges, enhancing the visual impact of the container display while the core plant retains its desirable height. Ensure that all companion selections also require consistently moist but well-draining soil to avoid competing cultural demands.
Propagation Tips
Swedish ivy is exceptionally easy to propagate, allowing gardeners to quickly multiply their stock or create new specimens for gifting. The four-sided, semi-succulent stems root readily in water or moist potting mix. To propagate, take cuttings approximately 4 to 6 inches long, ensuring each segment has several nodes where leaves emerge, as roots will form at these points.
Remove the lower leaves from the cutting so they do not rot underwater or get buried in the soil mix. Placing the cuttings in a clear glass of water allows you to watch the root development, typically occurring within a few weeks, before potting them up. Alternatively, dip the base in rooting hormone and insert directly into a sterile, well-draining medium, keeping the mix consistently moist until roots are established enough to transplant the new Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’.
