Japanese name: プレクトランサス（花もの） Scientific name:Plectranthus
[Overview]
A perennial, but because it is not cold hardy, it is treated mainly as an annual in Japan.
This is a line grown for its flowers.
The leaves are simple and opposite, with toothed margins.
The flowers are borne in large numbers in spike-like inflorescences and are lipped.
The fruit is a schizocarp.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
Cuttings can be taken at 15°C or above.
If brought indoors to a sunny spot in winter, it can overwinter and be grown as a perennial.
It prefers fertile soil with good sunlight, drainage, water retention and aeration.
It prefers a well-ventilated place that does not dry out.
Direct summer sun fades the color of the leaves, so move it to partial shade in midsummer.
If the light is too poor, leaf color and flowering become poor.
It is a short-day plant that flowers as the days get shorter, so it flowers poorly in places that are bright at night.
For potted plants, water thoroughly from spring to autumn when the soil surface dries, and keep it on the dry side in winter; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
However, if it dries out in midsummer, water in the morning or evening when the temperature is low.
Apply slow-release fertilizer as base fertilizer, and also place slow-release fertilizer on the soil from spring to autumn.
Pests include armyworms, scale insects and spider mites.
