Mona Lavender is a hybrid plant created by crossing two South African species, Plectranthus saccatus and Plectranthus hilliardiae. It combines the beautiful leaves and lavender flowers of both parents. Mona Lavender has purple, two-lipped blooms on purple stems and glossy ovate leaves that are green on top and purple underneath. It’s easy to care for and thrives with minimal attention.
The name “Plectranthus” comes from Greek words meaning “spur” and “flower,” reflecting the plant’s shape. It belongs to the mint family and is related to Coleus and creeping Charlie.
Plant Attributes
- Common Name: Mona Lavender, ‘Mona Lavender’ plectranthus, lavender spur flower
- Botanical Name: Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, shrub
- Mature Size: 1-2 ft. tall, 1–2 ft. wide
- Sun Exposure: Partial
- Soil Type: Well-drained, rich
- Soil pH: Acidic
- Bloom Time: Fall, winter
- Flower Color: Purple
- Native Area: Cultivar, no native range
How to Care for Mona Lavender
Mona Lavender is a versatile plant that can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It thrives as a houseplant and can also be used as a low-maintenance shrub in warm climates. This perennial adds beauty to your garden year-round with its attractive foliage and flowers that bloom from late summer to winter.
Mona Lavender is a short-day plant, which means it flowers when the days get shorter. As temperatures rise and days become longer, its growth slows down.
In regions with mild winters, Mona Lavender can bloom consistently from late summer to spring. However, the amount of light it receives affects its leaf and flower color. Brighter light results in richer colors.
When grown indoors, Mona Lavender requires as much bright, indirect light as possible to look its best.
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Light
Mona Lavender thrives in locations with bright, indirect light. Ideal conditions include receiving direct morning sun while enjoying afternoon shade, especially in warmer climates. While the plant can tolerate full shade, its foliage colors and blooms will be less vibrant.
Soil
When selecting soil for Mona Lavender, prioritize a well-drained, slightly acidic variety with organic matter content. The ideal soil type is rich, loamy soil that allows for proper drainage. This type of soil will provide the necessary nutrients and moisture retention to support healthy growth and vibrant blooms.
Water
Mona Lavender requires consistent and even moisture to thrive. This plant is considered thirsty and should be watered every few days, checking to ensure the top inch of soil is dry before watering. However, it’s crucial to avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.
To prevent root rot, ensure the soil drains well. This allows excess water to escape, preventing the roots from becoming waterlogged.
Temperature and Humidity
Mona Lavender is a tropical plant that generally prefers warmer temperatures. While it can tolerate short periods of cooler weather, including light frosts, it thrives in temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range provides optimal conditions for its growth and development.
Fertilizer
Mona Lavender can benefit from regular fertilization to support its growth and flowering. A balanced water-soluble fertilizer can be applied every six to ten weeks. To determine the appropriate amount, follow the instructions on the product label.
In alkaline soils, using an acidifying fertilizer can help enhance foliage color and flowering. This is because acidifying fertilizers can lower the pH of the soil, making it more favorable for Mona Lavender’s growth.
During the short days when Mona Lavender is flowering, it’s advisable to withhold fertilizer. Resuming fertilization after flowering begins to taper off can promote new growth and prepare the plant for the next blooming cycle.
Types of Plectranthus
Mona Lavender is a unique hybrid plant created by crossing two specific Plectranthus species. There are no other cultivars that are exactly like it. However, other Plectranthus species share similar characteristics.
- Plectranthus ciliatus is a plant sometimes called blue spurflower. The “Troy’s Gold” variety has green leaves with creamy edges similar to coleus. “Zulu Wonder” looks like Mona Lavender, with purple undersides to its leaves.
- Plectranthus oertendahlii is often sold as Swedish ivy or Brazilian coleus. Its leaves are typically green with silver markings on top and deep red underneath. However, there are various cultivars with different leaf patterns.
Plectranthus and Coleus are closely related plant genera. Due to recent taxonomic changes, several species have been moved between these two genera. This means that some plants that were once classified as Coleus are now considered Plectranthus, and vice versa.
Pruning
Mona Lavender doesn’t require extensive pruning, but regular pinching of young plants can promote branching and a fuller, bushier growth habit. Long stems can also be cut back to maintain a desired shape. These cuttings can be used to propagate new plants.
To help the plant retain its compact form, consistently trim off new stem tips. After flowering, remove the spent flower spikes to encourage continued growth and prevent the plant from becoming leggy.
Propagating ‘Mona Lavender’
The most straightforward way to propagate Mona Lavender is by taking stem cuttings and rooting them. This process is similar to propagating Coleus. Cuttings can be rooted in a well-draining potting mix or simply suspended in water until roots develop. Propagation can be done year-round, but it’s often done in the fall to preserve outdoor plants. By taking cuttings in the fall, rooting them indoors, and potting them up in winter, you’ll have healthy adult plants ready to enjoy outdoors in spring. Here is the right way to do it:
1. Cuttings: Take 4-6 inch cuttings from healthy plant tips. Remove flowers and lower leaves.
2. Rooting: Place cuttings in water or potting mix with bright, indirect light.
3. Care: Monitor water levels and replace if needed.
4. Planting: Plant rooted cutting in potting mix and continue to provide bright, indirect light. Pinch stems if needed.
5. Outdoor Transition: Harden off the plant gradually over a couple of weeks and then move it outdoors in spring.
Grow ‘Mona Lavender’ From Seed
You can propagate this plant from stem cuttings due to its ease of propagation and hybrid nature. Seeds collected from the plant won’t produce offspring that are identical to the parent. However, you can purchase Mona Lavender seeds from a reliable source if local nurseries don’t have live plants available. To start Mona Lavender seeds indoors:
- Timing: Sow seeds 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost.
- Containers: Use seedling flats or small pots filled with seed-starter mix.
- Planting: Sow seeds shallowly, covering them lightly.
- Location: Place containers in a bright location (avoid direct sunlight) with a temperature of 70-75°F.
- Germination: Expect seedlings to emerge in 7-14 days
After seedlings emerge, move them to direct sunlight or under fluorescent plants and ensure they get eight hours of darkness each night. When seedlings are 3-4 weeks old and have at least two sets of true leaves, fertilize them with a diluted houseplant fertilizer solution.
Before planting outdoors, harden off the seedlings for a week. This means gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions to toughen the plant cells and reduce transplant shock. Be sure to bring the seedlings indoors if freezing temperatures are forecast.
Potting and Repotting ‘Mona Lavender’
Mona Lavender thrives in containers when planted in a soilless potting mix and a well-draining pot. Indoors, place it near a bright east or south window. Once the weather warms up, it can be moved outdoors, but protect it from intense afternoon sun.
Mona Lavender thrives in containers when planted in a soilless potting mix and a well-draining pot. Indoors, place it near a bright east or south window. Once the weather warms up, it can be moved outdoors, but protect it from intense afternoon sun.
Overwintering
Mona Lavender plants grown outdoors in warm climates typically bloom in the fall and winter. During this time, they require more water but should not be fertilized. Fertilizing can encourage foliage growth at the expense of flowering. The same applies to indoor plants if you desire robust blooms.
Mona Lavender is highly sensitive to frost. If you live in a region with freezing temperatures, it’s crucial to bring outdoor potted plants indoors or take cuttings for indoor propagation to ensure their survival during the winter.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Mona Lavender is generally resistant to pests and diseases when grown outdoors in well-draining soil. However, occasional pests like whiteflies, aphids, and spider mites may appear during the summer. These pests can be controlled using horticultural oils or natural predators. Indoors, pests might be more problematic.
Mona Lavender can be affected by diseases like leaf spot, stem rot, and root rot. These diseases are more common in humid environments or when the plants are grown in dense, poorly draining soil.
How to Get ‘Mona Lavender’ to Bloom
Mona Lavender Plectranthus typically blooms in fall and winter, which is surprising to many people who expect spring and summer blooms. Except for those in the deep South, it’s often grown as an indoor houseplant. To enjoy abundant indoor blooms, provide plenty of bright light. Insufficient light or excessive nitrogen fertilizer can prevent flowering. Over-fertilization promotes foliage growth but can hinder blooms. It’s best to avoid fertilizing during the blooming season and resume in spring.
Common Problems with ‘Mona Lavender’
Mona Lavender Plectranthus is generally pest-free indoors, but it can become leggy and sparse, especially in locations with insufficient light. This is common in northern climates during winter. To address this, prune leggy stems and provide the plants with the brightest indoor light possible, usually a south or east-facing window.
When you see curled leaves, it’s a sign that the plants need water. These plants enjoy moisture, but they also require proper drainage to avoid root rot.
FAQs
Q: How to use this plant in the landscape?
A: Mona Lavender typically blooms in fall and winter, making it suitable for indoor or potted patio use. In regions with mild winters, it can be grown as a shrubby evergreen plant that flowers year-round. Gardeners in cold-winter regions can move potted plants between indoors and outdoors depending on the season.
Q: How long does Plectranthus live?
A: Mona Lavender Plectranthus can be a long-lived semi-woody shrub in warm climates. As houseplants, they typically last around five years. To maintain Mona Lavender plants indefinitely, you can periodically take stem cuttings and root them to create new plants.
Q: Is ‘Mona Lavender’ an annual?
A: We can grow Mona Lavender as an annual in regions with cold winters. However, in these areas, it will only be a foliage plant, as it doesn’t flower until fall and winter. Some gardeners might see a brief fall bloom before the cold kills the plant.
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