Plectranthus Species, Cuban Oregano, Succulent Coleus, Vicks Plant

Plectranthustomentosa

Family
Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Plectranthus (plek-TRAN-thus)
Species
tomentosa (toh-men-TOH-suh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Shiny/Glossy
Succulent
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Medium Purple
Bloom Time
Late Winter/Early Spring
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From herbaceous stem cuttings
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Fresno, California

Santa Barbara, California

Vista, California

Altamonte Springs, Florida

Bartow, Florida

Bokeelia, Florida

Brandon, Florida

Cape Coral, Florida

Deland, Florida

Hollywood, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

Lakeland, Florida

Largo, Florida

Palm Coast, Florida

Riverview, Florida

Sarasota, Florida

Zachary, Louisiana

Carolina, Puerto Rico

Providence, Utah

Quechee, Vermont

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Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
3
neutrals
0
negative
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I
Glenwood, IA | October 2014 | positive

I LOVE this plant! Living in Iowa, it is a house plant that summers outside on my north-facing porch, where it gets lots of morning sun....Read More

M
Fresno, CA | February 2011 | neutral

My plant didn't make it through the winter very gracefully, I have tried taking stem cuttings and getting them to root without much succe...Read More

S
Saint Paul, MN | September 2010 | neutral

there seems to be much confusion on the infernets about this plant. I bought the plant pictured as Cuban Oregano which in most places is...Read More

S
Saco, ME | May 2010 | positive

I recently purchased this plant from a nursery in Canada. I love it! I potted it up in a mix of potting soil, coir fiber and a tsp. of wa...Read More

K
Austin, TX (Zone 8b) | September 2008 | positive

Agree with below, though I grow them in a lightweight potting soil with no extra sand. Used to produce trays of these in the spring for a...Read More

M
Deer Park, TX (Zone 9a) | September 2007 | neutral

From Plant of the Week.org
Plectranthus tomentosa, or Vicks Plant, is a perennial plant with leaves that smell like Vick's Vap-O-R...Read More

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