I originally posted a thread in the Plant Identification forum, where I discovered that this plant was Plectranthus (Swedish Ivy). http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=10731 Well, I take one of my previous posts back, as I just noticed that a small flower has begun growing. But anyway, I have a couple more questions about this plant. When I first got it, it was very small and almost dead, as I had been instructed that it didn't need much light or water. Well, I ended up putting it outside (not in direct light though, on a porch) throughout the summer and giving it plenty of water everyday, and it grew well (from having stems only about 4 inches to about 2 feet). Now that it is so large, the stems and leaves are very heavy and it seems that the stems/leaves that end up on the underside of others are dying a little, probably from the light not reaching them (?). Should the stems and leaves of this plant be allowed to "hang," or should it be placed on a table so that the stems/leaves rest on the table? Now that is starting to get colder down here in South Carolina, with some nights below freezing, I have brought the plant inside. Should I turn a light on it (if so, direct light or indirect) during the day? I brought it back outside yesterday since it was a warm day, and the wind actually blew a stem off. What is the easiest/best method to propagate? Thanks for any help!
It can't be both! - Plectranthus is neither Swedish, nor an ivy; it is native to the tropics, and in the family Lamiaceae. The only ivy native in Sweden is Hedera helix (Araliaceae).
Stem cuttings in a moist soil root very easily in about a week to ten days. Plectranthus tend to get very messy as they get older so I usually just start a new plant by placing a about 15 cuttings in an 8 inch, or 20cm pot. Joe
I was under the impression that "Swedish Ivy" was a nickname (albeit incorrect) for the plant... but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if I was wrong. :)
