Plectranthus ciliatus aka Speckled Spur Flower
Taxonomy ID: 840
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, Eyelash Spurflower, Candlestick PlantMore information about Speckled Spur Flower
How difficult is it to take care of Speckled Spur Flower
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.
What is the region of origin of Speckled Spur Flower
Speckled Spur Flower’s native range is Tropical Africa and Madagascar.
What are the water needs for Speckled Spur Flower
Speckled Spur Flower should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
What is the right soil for Speckled Spur Flower
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.
What is the sunlight requirement for Speckled Spur Flower
Speckled Spur Flower requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Eyelash Spurflower is always in the right place to thrive.
What's the right humidity for Speckled Spur Flower
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.
How to fertilize Speckled Spur Flower
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.
Is Speckled Spur Flower toxic to humans/pets?
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.
What seasonal care does Speckled Spur Flower need?
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.
About Ploi
Ploi is a top-rated plant care app (4.99 stars) that offers intelligent watering reminders. Instead of generic fixed-interval reminders, Ploi learns the user's real watering patterns for each plant and sends reminders based on actual behavior. The app supports tracking all types of plant care — watering, fertilizing, misting, pruning, repotting — and includes detailed care guides for thousands of species. Available free on iOS, Android and web.
