Plectranthus verticillatus
Encyclopedia
Plectranthus verticillatus (Swedish ivy) is a plant in the family Lamiaceae
(Labiatae), native to South-east Africa
, that is commonly grown as a houseplant
.
Despite its common name it is not closely related to true ivies
of the genus Hedera. Unlike ivy, it is not thigmotropic
, meaning it does not cling to walls with the roots when it grows.
It is found naturalised around the world in certain areas with warm climates. It is perennial and blooms from mid-autumn to mid-winter. The bloom colour ranges from mauve/rose to white.
Lamiaceae
The mints, taxonomically known as Lamiaceae or Labiatae, are a family of flowering plants. They have traditionally been considered closely related to Verbenaceae, but in the 1990s, phylogenetic studies suggested that many genera classified in Verbenaceae belong instead in Lamiaceae...
(Labiatae), native to South-east Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, that is commonly grown as a houseplant
Houseplant
A houseplant is a plant that is grown indoors in places such as residences and offices. Houseplants are commonly grown for decorative purposes, positive psychological effects, or health reasons such as indoor air purification...
.
Despite its common name it is not closely related to true ivies
Ivy
Ivy, plural ivies is a genus of 12–15 species of evergreen climbing or ground-creeping woody plants in the family Araliaceae, native to western, central and southern Europe, Macaronesia, northwestern Africa and across central-southern Asia east to Japan and Taiwan.-Description:On level ground they...
of the genus Hedera. Unlike ivy, it is not thigmotropic
Thigmotropism
Thigmotropism is a movement in which an organism moves or grows in response to touch or contact stimuli. The prefix thigmo- θιγμος comes from the Greek for "touch". Usually thigmotropism occurs when plants grow around a surface, such as a wall, pot, or trellis. Climbing plants, such as vines,...
, meaning it does not cling to walls with the roots when it grows.
It is found naturalised around the world in certain areas with warm climates. It is perennial and blooms from mid-autumn to mid-winter. The bloom colour ranges from mauve/rose to white.