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Species : Plectranthus fruticans Family : Lamiaceae Image No. 1

Plectranthus

A genus of mint-family plants from Africa and Madagascar

Photo: Kurt Stüber [1], CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Plectranthus is a group of about 85 flowering plant species in the mint family. Most grow in southern and tropical Africa and on Madagascar, and several are used as ornamental garden plants.

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  • Belongs to the mint family Lamiaceae
  • Name means 'spear-point flower' in Greek
  • About 85 accepted species as of 2022
  • Many former species moved to Coleus genus
  • Grown as ornamental garden plants

What does Plectranthus look like?

Plectranthus plants are mostly herbaceous perennials, though some are soft-wooded shrubs or annuals. A few have succulent stems or tuberous bases. Their flowers give the group its common name 'spur-flower', hinting at their shape.

Where does Plectranthus come from?

The genus comes from southern and tropical parts of Africa and Madagascar. Its name blends Greek words for 'spear point' and 'flower', describing the flower structure. Recent studies reshaped its classification, moving many species to other genera like Coleus.

When and how Plectranthus blooms

These plants grow as perennials in suitable climates. Some forms are cultivated in gardens for their foliage or flowers. One well-known cultivar, Mona Lavender, has been recognised for garden performance by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Plectranthus sp. (Mona lavender hybrid flowers). Location: Maui, Walmart Kahului
Plectranthus sp. (Mona lavender hybrid flowers). Location: Maui, Walmart Kahului. Photo: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Flowers of Plectranthus verticillatus in El Crucero, Managua, Nicaragua.
Flowers of Plectranthus verticillatus in El Crucero, Managua, Nicaragua.. Photo: SergioTorresC, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tall Spurflower growing in clumps with white flowers
Tall Spurflower growing in clumps with white flowers. Photo: Yucalyptus, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Plectranthus 'Cerveza'n Lime'
Plectranthus 'Cerveza'n Lime'. Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How Plectranthus is used

Several Plectranthus species are grown as ornamental plants in gardens and containers. They are valued for their ease of growth and attractive leaves or blooms, making them popular choices for home landscapes.

Kinds of Plectranthus

Taxonomic work in recent years redefined the genus. Many plants once called Plectranthus, such as those now in Coleus, Equilabium, and other genera, were moved based on DNA evidence. As of 2022, about 84 species remain accepted under Plectranthus.

Questions people ask about Plectranthus

Where does Plectranthus come from?

It is native to southern and tropical Africa and Madagascar, according to botanical sources.

What is Plectranthus used for?

Several species are grown as ornamental plants in gardens and homes for their foliage and flowers.

Is Plectranthus related to Coleus?

Yes. Genetic studies showed many former Plectranthus species actually belong in Coleus and other genera.

What does the name Plectranthus mean?

It comes from Greek words for 'spear point' and 'flower', referring to the shape of the blossom.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Plectranthus", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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