Plectranthus ciliatus aka Speckled Spur Flower

Taxonomy

Plectranthus ciliatus, also known as Indian borage, speckled spur flower, blue spur flower, and candlestick plant, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae. Native to South Africa and Eswatini, it has been introduced to Victoria in Australia and the North and South Islands of New Zealand. This sprawling, evergreen perennial is often grown as a bedding plant or under glass. Its rounded leaves are dark red-purple on the underside and yellow with green veins and a green central splash on the upperside. From spring to autumn, it produces spikes of small, tubular, two-lipped, pale purple flowers. It is often mistakenly sold under the name of P. oertendahlii, another species from South African forest regions. Plectranthus ciliatus can grow up to 30-40cm tall and forms a dense carpet under trees or shrubs. Its purple-veined and purple-backed leaves provide a stunning backdrop for its long spires of dainty lilac-tinged flowers. This plant thrives in shady places and pairs well with dark purple-leafed foliage plants like bromeliads, Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Heart', or black taro (Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'). It also makes a beautiful carpet beneath autumn-flowering Camellia sasanqua, shrub and cane Begonia, and Justicia carnea. The cultivar 'Easy Gold' of Plectranthus ciliatus has even been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit for its ornamental value.

Common names

Speckled Spur Flower

How to care for Speckled Spur Flower

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Speckled Spur Flower is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Speckled Spur Flower should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Speckled Spur Flower loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Speckled Spur Flower prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Speckled Spur Flower to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Humidity

The Speckled Spur Flower does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

The Speckled Spur Flower should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Speckled Spur Flower’s native range is Tropical Africa and Madagascar.


More info:
Wikipedia