Plectranthus verticillatus

Common name: gossip spurflower

Family: Lamiaceae

Origin: South Africa

Plant description: beautiful perennial semi-succulent groundcover that grows well indoors and outdoors. The plant grows up to 10 cm high and is aromatic. It bears white, pale, or pale pink flowers throughout spring and autumn.

Use: it is ideal as an indoor plant, groundcover outdoors, and in a hanging basket. 

Light and position: It grows best in shade, semi-shade and full sun. 

Water requirements: Water-wise, avoid over-watering as it does not tolerate standing water.

Special care: Fertilise monthly in summer.

Pest and disease: root rot.

Propagation: stem cuttings or by division. 

Potting a plant

 

Propagating Pelargonium capitatum

 Cuttings

• Any time of year is suitable for Pelargonium capitatum cutting.
• Collect cutting early hours of the day.
• Take 7 cm long, soft stem cuttings from healthy plants.
• Remove the leaves from the lower third of the cutting.
• Dip cuttings into a rooting hormone and place them into a tray filled with river sand.
• Once the cuttings are rooted, pot them up in 1-litre plastic bags. 
• Water young cuttings frequently and keep them in a shady area for three to four weeks until they have hardened off. Then, grow them in direct sunlight.

Pelargonium capitatum

Scientific name: Pelargonium capitatum
Family: Geraniaceae
Common name: kusmalva, rose-scented pelargonium

A beautiful aromatic shrub-let.

Plant Description

Pelargonium capitatum is a soft velvety small shrub that grows up to 50cm. It has rounded, lobed and crisped leaves that are +/-5cm in diameter. Pink to purple flowers appears from September to October. Flowers grow in clusters of up to twenty; they are 15-25 mm in diameter and have a floral tube that is 3-8mm long.

Growing Pelargonium capitatum

Kusmalva grows best in coastal dunes and flats, thus suitable for any garden with sandy soil. It thrives in full sun. Pelargonium capitatum is a perfect plant for coastal or water-wise gardens. It can be used along walkways and as a border shrub. It withstands salt spray and does well in good compost.

Propagate from cuttings and seeds sown in late summer and early autumn.

Seeds

• Sow seeds in late summer and early autumn.
• Sow the seeds in a well-drained medium such as sand sow 1 cm deep.
• Cover seeds lightly with soil and keep moist.
•  Until germination occurs, it is essential to place seeds in a room with enough light. 
• Germination usually occurs within three weeks.

Cuttings

• Any time of year is suitable for Pelargonium capitatum cutting.
• Collect cutting early hours of the day.
• Take 7 cm long, soft stem cuttings from healthy plants.
• Remove the leaves from the lower third of the cutting.
• Dip cuttings into a rooting hormone and place them into a tray filled with river sand.
• Once the cuttings are rooted, pot them up in 1-litre plastic bags. 
• Water young cuttings frequently and keep them in a shady area for three to four weeks until they have hardened off. Then, grow them in direct sunlight.