Plectranthus purpuratus aka Purple Swedish Ivy

Q: What do Purple Swedish Ivy flowers look like?

Plectranthus purpuratus produces slender racemes bearing small tubular flowers with a corolla 12–13 mm long. The flower color is white to pale mauve, and the lower lip of the corolla is distinctly boat-shaped (5–7 mm). Fruits are small brown or black nutlets approximately 1.5 mm long.

Q: What varieties of Purple Swedish Ivy exist?

Three subspecies of Plectranthus purpuratus are accepted: subsp. purpuratus (found in KwaZulu-Natal), subsp. montanus (Northern Provinces of South Africa and eSwatini), and subsp. tongaensis (KwaZulu-Natal). The species name is frequently misapplied to the closely related Plectranthus ciliatus, which shares similar purple-backed foliage.

Q: How big does Purple Swedish Ivy grow?

Plectranthus purpuratus is a low-growing, spreading or trailing herb reaching a maximum height of approximately 20 cm (about 8 inches). It spreads laterally as a groundcover or trailing plant. Stems are four-angled and succulent, and the compact leaves are broadly rounded, measuring about 10–15 mm across.

Q: How is Purple Swedish Ivy pollinated?

Plectranthus purpuratus belongs to the Lamiaceae family, whose members are predominantly pollinated by insects, particularly bees and other hymenoptera, which are attracted to the tubular flowers. The white to pale mauve flowers with their boat-shaped lower lip are structurally adapted for insect visitors. No specific pollinator studies for this species were located in available sources.

Q: What are the water needs for Purple Swedish Ivy

Purple Swedish Ivy should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Q: What is the right soil for Purple Swedish Ivy

Purple Swedish Ivy 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.

Q: What is the sunlight requirement for Purple Swedish Ivy

Purple Swedish Ivy requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Purple Swedish Ivy will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Taxonomy ID: 841

Genus Plectranthus Family Lamiaceae Order Lamiales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta

Plectranthus purpuratus, commonly known as cliff spurflower, is a perennial succulent herb in the family Lamiaceae, native to southern Africa. It is endemic to South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces as well as the Kingdom of eSwatini, where it grows as a spreading or trailing groundcover typically reaching no more than 20 cm in height.

The plant has four-angled, fleshy stems and broadly rounded to almost circular leaves measuring roughly 10–15 mm in both length and width. Leaf margins range from smooth to variably toothed, and the undersides may develop a distinctive purplish coloration dotted with red glands — a feature that has historically caused the name to be misapplied to the related species Plectranthus ciliatus. Leaf stalks are slender, measuring 3–15 mm.

Flowers are borne in racemes 30–290 mm long. The corolla is 12–13 mm in length and colored white to pale mauve; the lower lip is boat-shaped, measuring 5–7 mm. Seeds are small brown or black nutlets approximately 1.5 mm long. Three subspecies are recognised: subsp. purpuratus (KwaZulu-Natal), subsp. montanus (Northern Provinces and eSwatini), and subsp. tongaensis (KwaZulu-Natal).

As a compact, trailing succulent herb, cliff spurflower lends itself to cultivation as a houseplant or container plant, and its low stature and succulent foliage make it suitable for use in hanging baskets or as a groundcover in frost-free gardens. Related Plectranthus species are regarded as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.

Common names

Purple Swedish Ivy, Komarzyca, Purple Plectranthus, Cliff Spurflower

More information about Purple Swedish Ivy

What do Purple Swedish Ivy flowers look like?

Plectranthus purpuratus produces slender racemes bearing small tubular flowers with a corolla 12–13 mm long. The flower color is white to pale mauve, and the lower lip of the corolla is distinctly boat-shaped (5–7 mm). Fruits are small brown or black nutlets approximately 1.5 mm long.

What varieties of Purple Swedish Ivy exist?

Three subspecies of Plectranthus purpuratus are accepted: subsp. purpuratus (found in KwaZulu-Natal), subsp. montanus (Northern Provinces of South Africa and eSwatini), and subsp. tongaensis (KwaZulu-Natal). The species name is frequently misapplied to the closely related Plectranthus ciliatus, which shares similar purple-backed foliage.

How big does Purple Swedish Ivy grow?

Plectranthus purpuratus is a low-growing, spreading or trailing herb reaching a maximum height of approximately 20 cm (about 8 inches). It spreads laterally as a groundcover or trailing plant. Stems are four-angled and succulent, and the compact leaves are broadly rounded, measuring about 10–15 mm across.

How is Purple Swedish Ivy pollinated?

🐝 Insects

Plectranthus purpuratus belongs to the Lamiaceae family, whose members are predominantly pollinated by insects, particularly bees and other hymenoptera, which are attracted to the tubular flowers. The white to pale mauve flowers with their boat-shaped lower lip are structurally adapted for insect visitors. No specific pollinator studies for this species were located in available sources.

What is the region of origin of Purple Swedish Ivy

Purple Swedish Ivy’s native range is Tropical Africa and Madagascar.

What are the water needs for Purple Swedish Ivy

Purple Swedish Ivy should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

What is the right soil for Purple Swedish Ivy

Purple Swedish Ivy 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 Purple Swedish Ivy

Purple Swedish Ivy requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Purple Swedish Ivy will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

What's the right humidity for Purple Swedish Ivy

The Purple Swedish Ivy is not in need of supplementary humidity. Most water is taken in by plants through their roots, thus soil watering is the most efficient way to provide humidity to your plants.

How to fertilize Purple Swedish Ivy

The Purple Swedish Ivy should be repotted either when it doubles in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing new potting soil with all the vital nutrients annually is enough to support the growth of the plant, and thus, there is no need for fertilizer. Remember that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Is Purple Swedish Ivy toxic to humans/pets?

Ploi's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.

More info:
Wikipedia • GBIF

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Sources

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