In southeastern Africa, tradition relates the plant called Plectranthus with good fortune and money. That is why in many places it is known as the «money plant» or «millionaires plant.» It is also known as «Swedish ivy», although it is not an ivy and is not a climber either.

In some places it is customary to give this plant with a coin buried in the pot as a gift to people who move to a new home. Many people acquire it with great enthusiasm, because it is a beautiful plant and it can also take away your debts, but it is not uncommon for it to die if it is not properly cared for.

How is the Plectranthus or money plant?

In reality, the Plectranthus It is not a single plant, but a species of the Lamiaceae family with a good number of varieties.

It is a plant with soft or distinctly succulent leaves, often shiny, toothed-edged, light to dark green above, sometimes dark purple below, and covered with short, soft hair.

The flowers are white to pale mauve with some spots on the upper lip or dotted with purple spots. They appear sporadically throughout the year, but more abundantly in spring and late autumn.

Varieties of the money plant

• Plectranthus verticillatus. It can reach 30 cm in height and 60 cm in extension. The leaves are 6 to 9 cm long, the underside is purple and hairy, and the upper surface is bright green.
• Plectranthus coleoides. It has light green leaves and the entire periphery of these usually has a whitish color (in the photo). It gives off the smell of incense.
• Plectranthus argentatus. This variety has silver leaves and they are larger than other varieties. It is a beautiful and very elegant plant thanks to its foliage.
• Plectranthus coleoides marginata. It has quite large leaves and the green color with cream or yellow areas is clearly visible.
• Plectranthus fructicosus. It has fairly dark green leaves and is large in size.
• Menthol Prectrant either Plectranthus nicolina. It is one of the smallest and the leaves smell like mint. The foliage is grayish in color.

Money plant: care Plectranthus

The species of Plectranthus They are easily grown and require little additional attention or special treatment.

What is the appropriate lighting?

They enjoy well-composted soil and generally thrive in semi-shaded, indirect light positions facing south or east. Direct sunlight does not suit them.

Watering the money plant

They generally have shallow roots and enjoy a moderate irrigation. It is not advisable to give it too much because it stores water in its stems and is resistant to prolonged periods of drought.

When the color of the leaf changes from green to yellow or appear small black spots It’s very likely that we are overwatering it.

During the hottest time of the year it will have to be watered three times a week and throughout the winter a small watering every five or seven days will be enough.

Fertilizing the money plant

Liquid compost can be added to the water for three weeks in spring.

In winter it can be added once a month.

Is the money plant indoor or outdoor?

It can live both outdoors and indoors. If kept outdoors, it is necessary to protect it from frost in winter. If it is kept below 10ºC it can die.

If placed indoors, It must be fresh. A temperature of 20-22 ºC in summer and 15-19 in winter is ideal.

Can be placed in hanging baskets or in ordinary pots, taking into account that its branches will end up dragging along the ground. Balcony railings and terrace walls are usually very suitable spaces for these plants;

How to propagate the money plant?

It is very easy to reproduce by cutting during the first or early part of summer.

The cuttings They must have at least two knots and the leaves from the bottom are removed. It is not necessary to apply rooting hormone.