Whorled Plectranthus (Swedish Ivy) Indoor Care, Propagation & Common Problems
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Whorled Plectranthus (Swedish Ivy) requires bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing period.
In this guide, we will walk through everything you need to know about Whorled Plectranthus indoor care. From choosing the right spot in your home to multiplying your plant, this article covers it all in a clear, practical, and human-friendly way. Whether you are growing your first Swedish Ivy or looking to make your current one fuller and healthier, you are in the right place.
Whorled Plectranthus also called Swedish Begonia, Gossip Plant or Begonia Ivy are creeping plants important for clothing the edges of pots and hanging baskets.
Swedish Begonia is easy to grow even for a beginner and will withstand occasional dryness at the roots. It will also produce occasional flowers under room conditions.
Though called Swedish Ivy, it is not a true ivy and will flourish in dry air where true ivies would fail. Despite the name 'Ivy', the leaves resemble a small and plain Coleus rather than a colorful Ivy.
The foliage in Whorled Plectranthus is more colorful and the trailing stems are covered by foliage and they grow very fast. The leaves are more rounded and deeply veined.
The common name, 'Swedish Ivy' indicates their popularity in Scandinavia where they are grown in hanging baskets or on window-sills. Plectranthus are some of the best plants for a hanging basket.
Botanical name: Plectranthus
Family: Lamiaceae
Common names: Gossip Plant, Begonia Ivy, Swedish Ivy, Swedish Begonia, Whorled Plectranthus, Spurflowers
Origin
The Plectranthus genus has about 350 species comprising of warm-climate plants occurring largerly in the Southern Hemisphere, in Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, India and the Indonesian archipelago down to Australia and some Pacific Islands.
Varieties
The variegated types are more popular like Plectranthus oertendahlii is especially colorful with leaves measuring 1 inch across, prominnent white veins, underside and leaf edge rosy-purple.
Plectranthus coleoides marginatus bears the largest leaves which measure 2-2.5 inches wide, have a broad white edge and a hairy surface. Plectranthus australis bears all-green leaves which are thicker and glossier than for other species.
Plectranthus are closely related to Coleus blumei (Painted Nettle). The Plectranthus plants are also known as spurflowers.
Is Swedish Ivy toxic?
No. Swedish Ivy is non-toxic to both humans and pets. They are safe to grow in a home with children, cats, dogs and other pets.
Where to Buy
Swedish Begonia are magnificent plants for any plant collection. You may acquire these plants from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Whorled Plectranthus Care Indoors
To care for Whorled Plectranthus indoors, give itbright indirect light (filtered light), warmth of 16-280C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Swedish Ivy requires repotting only when it becomes pot-bound. Regular pruning is needed to keep it neat, encourage a bushy, compact growth and rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Light Requirements
How much light does Swedish Ivy need?
Swedish Ivy grows best in bright indirect light; place it infront of a large, well-lit, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight or use a light curtain to filter it to prevent scorching of the leaves.
Too little light will result in leggy growth, yellowing and leaf drop. Therefore, if the natural lighting is not adequate, use a full spectrum grow light to increase it.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent legginess.
Watering
How often should I water Whorled Plectranthus?
Do not water on a schedule: Water Whorled Plectranthus liberally in spring and summer and allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, yellowing, drooping and leaf loss.
Decrease watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. However, do not allow the soil to dry out completely as underwatering can result in wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.
Use tepid (room temperature) water to prevent cold shock which can cause stunted growth and leaf loss. Only water with chlorine-free water like rainwater or filtered water to prevent browning of leaf edges.
Avoid soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the plant. Therefore, use a pot that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Temperature & Humidity
Whorled Plectranthus prefers a warmth of 16-280C. Keep it away from sources of drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature which can lead to stunted growth, wilting, yellowing and leaf drop.
Swedish Ivy flourishes in a humidity of 50-55%. If your home is particularly dry, especially during winter, the plant may develop brown leaf tips and edges. Therefore to elevate humidity, group the plants together,set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Make sure that there is good ventilation to prevent fungal diseases.
Shoud I mist Swedish Ivy?
No. Do not mist your Swedish Ivy as doing so will promote fungal diseases infestations. It is important to note that misting does not increase humidity significantly, therefore, it cannot be considered as a suitable way to raise humidity.
Fertilizer
How to feed Whorled Plectranthus?
Feed Whorled Plectranthus with a organic, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period (spring and summer) to support healthy growth without overwhelming the plant.
Stop feeding in the cold season (fall and winter) to prevent fertilizer burn as the plant enters a resting phase and does not require extra nutrients. Giving it a break during this time mirrors its natural growth cycle and helps prevent stress.
If you notice white crust forming on the soil surface, it may be a sign of excess fertilizer. Therefore, flush out the excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow it to run for some time to remove as much salt as possible.
Potting Soil
What is the best soil for Whorled Plectranthus?
The best soil for Whorled Plectranthus should be a rich, free-draining soil to prevent waterlogging while providing the required nutrients. A blend of 2 parts of all purpose potting mix and 1 part perlite is good for this plant. The goal is to allow excess water to flow through easily while still retaining enough moisture for the roots.
Repotting
How often should I repot Swedish Ivy?
Repot your Swedish Ivy in the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), only when the plant is pot-bound. Signs of being pot-bound include roots growing out of the drainage holes or slowed growth despite proper care.
Repotting your plant not only gives the roots more space but also refreshes the soil, providing new nutrients and encouraging healthier growth overall.
Select a pot one size larger that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil to prevent rotting. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning & Maintenance
Pruning Whorled Plectranthus is easy. Remove dead flower stalks immediately to keep it neat and to reduce the breeding ground for pests and diseases.
Occasionally wash the leaves with plenty of water to get rid of dust and discourage pest infestation.
How do I make Swedish Ivy bushy?
Without pruning, your Swedish Ivy will become leggy, with long stems and fewer leaves near the base.
To encourage a bushy, compact growth and control the height of the plant, reularly pinch off the growing tips.
Cutback the overgrown or leggy plant at the beginning of the growing season to promote a bushy growth as well as rejuvenate growth. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears and cut just above a leaf node. You may use the prunings to take stem cuttings for propagating new plants.
Whorled Plectranthus Propagation
Whorled Plectranthus (Swedish Ivy) propagation is best done at the beginning of the growing season from stem-tip cuttings. The cuttings can be rooted either in soil or in water.
Taking Whorled Plectranthus stem-tip cuttings
Take a 4-6 inches stem-tip cutting from a healthy plant. Cut just below a leaf node with clean scissors.
Strip off the lower leaves to expose the leaf nodes as this is where new roots will form.
1. Rooting Whorled Plectranthus stem-tip cuttings in water
- Submerge 2-3 inches of stem in a jar of clean water while ensuring at least one leaf node is below the water surface.
- Position the set up in a well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.
- Change the water every 5-7 days until roots have developed.
- Transfer the new plant into individual pots in moist, well-draining soil when the roots are about 2-3 inches long.
- Keep the soil moist until new growth has emerged on the new plant.
- Allow the new plant to be well established before moving the pots to their permanent position after which you can begin routine.
2. Rooting Whorled Plectranthus stem-tip cuttings in soil
- Insert 2-3 inches of the stem cutting in moist rooting soil.
- Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.
- Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges. Allow the new plant to be well established.
- Once well established, tranplant the new plant into individual pots in well-draining soil and begin routine care.
Whorled Plectranthus Problems & Remedies
Whorled Plectranthus (Swedish Ivy) common problems are yellow leaves, leaf drop, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Yellow leaves
Why are the leaves on my Whorled Plectranthus turning yellow?
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on your Whorled Plectranthus are too little light, dry air, temperature stress, nutrients deficiency, salts buildup, inconsistent watering, soggy soil or aging.
How to fix it
Too little light: Position the plant in bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to increase humidity.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like windy doors, drafty windows, AC units, hot air vents, heat sources among others.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with an organic plant food every 4 weeks in spring and summer but do not feed in fall and winter.
Salts buildup: Regularly, leach out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out.
Soggy soil: Use a well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.
Aging: It is natural for the older leaves to turn yellow, brown and drop as the plant matures.
Leaf drop
Why are my Swedish Ivy leaves falling off?
Your Swedish Ivy leaves are falling due to dry air, temperature stress, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, too little light, use of cold water among others.
How to fix it
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to upscale humidity.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, AC units, windy doors, drafty windows, heat sources among others.
Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and a free-draining soil.
Too little light: Place the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural light is not sufficient.
Use of cold water: Water with room temperature (tepid) water to prevent cold shock.
Leggy growth
Leggy growth on Whorled Plectranthus is caused by insufficient light This is an attempt by the plant to reach the light source.
How to fix it
Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Pests
Common pests on Swedish Ivy are mealybugs, scale insects, aphids, whiteflies and spider mites.
How to fix it
- Isolate the infested plant to reduce spread to the rest of the plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil or an insecticidal soap as indicated by the manufacturers.
- Regularly inspect your plant, especially under the leaves and along stems and carry out timely control measures.
- Maintain the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.
- To step-up humidity, use a humidifier, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together.
Diseases
Whorled Plectranthus is prone to the following diseases:
1. Leaf spot disease which is prevalent in humid conditions coupled with poor air circulation. It presents as brown, soft spots on the leaves. In a serious attack the spots can enlarge and merge, killing the whole leaf.
How to fix it
- Remove the affected leaves immediately to prevent further spread.
- Treat the affected plant with a neem oil as per the manufacturers' instructions.
- Maintain a good air flow to minimize the disease occurence.
- Avoid wetting the foliage during watering.
2. Root-rot disease which is promoted by soggy soil. It presents as general yellowing and browning of the leaves accompanied by rotting followed by plant collapse.
How to fix it
- Carefully, slip the plant out of its pot, wash off the soil and inspect the roots.
- Brown-black, mushy roots indicate root-rot; cut them away. In addition, cut away any stems showing any signs of rot.
- Treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicide as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh potting soil.
- Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging.
- Water the plant with the fungicidal solution and place it in a warm, brightly-lit spot.
- Stop watering until new growth appears and avoid overwatering and soggy soil thereafter.
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