Plectranthus genus belong to Lamiaceae family, contains about 350 species of plant. The members of this genus are warm-climate plants, naturally occur in Africa, Madagascar, India, Indonesia and Australia. They are closely related to Solenostemon and are known as the Spur Flowers. The name plectranthus comes from the Greek words “plectron,” which means spur, and “anthos,” which means flower. The flowers of a plectranthus typically have a spur at the base.

Plectranthus ‘Mona lavender’ was bred by Roger Jaques, at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden in the late 1990s. Mona Lavender is a hybrid created by crossing Plectranthus saccatus which has very large lavender blooms, with Plectranthus hilliardiae, which has green leaves with purple backs. The plant expresses the parental traits of colorful leaves and large lavender blossoms.

Plectranthus ‘Mona lavender’ is a herbaceous, perennial shrub reaching up to 80-100 cm in height, forming a rounded, dense bush. It has dark green, glossy leaves with intensely purple undersides and sprays of lavender flowers dashed with purple markings. Striking lavender blooms open on a spike that stands above leaves.

Mona Lavender is a short day plant, which means that as days become shorter, the plants shift into flowering mode. In mild winter regions or at nurseries plants can flower steadily from autumn through spring. If it has been pinched regularly, flowering can be extended right into early summer.

Plectranthus ‘Mona lavender’ does very well in either shaded or partly sunny positions. When it receives sun it tends to stay smaller and more compact and the leaves exhibit a much more intense colouring. The brighter the light, the more intense the leaf coloring becomes both the green above and the purple beneath. It doesn’t tolerate very cold conditions, although it does survive light frosts. The plants enjoy being pinched back to induce better branching and compactness.

Mona Lavender enjoys a rich soil with plenty of humus. It is quite a thirsty plant, so need water every few days to keep it fresh.

Use In Landscape

They make a great bedding plant and look good when they are planted en masse or as individuals in an existing bedding display. They also make good pot plants which can be moved around as needed. In planting beds, tuck plants into well-drained soil amended with organic matter. In containers, a soilless mix designed for use in pots is preferred.