Identity & taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Plectranthus verticillatus (L.f.) Druce
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Genus
- Plectranthus
- Order
- Lamiales
- IUCN status
- Least Concern (LC)
- Wikidata
- Q1473097
- Plectranthus nummularius Briq.
- Coleus verticillatus (L.f.) A.J.Paton
- Ocimum verticillatum L.f.
- Swedish ivyen
- Whorled plectranthusen
- Money planten
- Skinder's salia (Skindersalie)sv
- Palmbladsv
- Palmebladno
- Palmebladda
- Palmunlehtifi
- Schwedischer Efeude
South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape) · Eswatini
How to identify it
Growth habit. Trailing or scrambling evergreen perennial with multiple branching stems emerging from a basal crown. Stems are slightly fleshy, round in cross-section, and produce roots readily wherever they touch moist soil. The plant trails over the pot rim or, if given support, scrambles along it. Growth is fast — established plants add 30–60 cm of stem length per growing season. Old stems become woody at the base.
Leaves. Rounded to broadly ovate leaves 2–5 cm across with prominent scalloped (crenate) margins, on short petioles arranged in opposite pairs along the stem. Upper surface is glossy mid-green with a slight purple tinge along the underside; texture is smooth, slightly thick, and faintly aromatic when crushed (a mild minty-herbal scent characteristic of Lamiaceae). Each leaf has 4–8 rounded scallops along the margin. Underside paler, sometimes flushed reddish-purple in bright light.
Flowers. Small white-and-purple two-lipped flowers 8–12 mm long arranged in vertical spikes 10–15 cm tall that emerge from leaf axils. Each spike carries 20–40 flowers in tight whorls (the species epithet 'verticillatus' refers to the whorled flower arrangement). Flowering peaks in autumn but can occur year-round indoors. Flowers attract pollinators outdoors but offer little ornamental value indoors.
- Rounded scallop-edged glossy green leaves 2–5 cm across.
- Trailing/scrambling habit; stems root at every node touching soil.
- Slightly fleshy stems, opposite leaves — Lamiaceae arrangement.
- Faint minty aroma when leaves crushed.
- White-and-purple two-lipped flowers in vertical whorled spikes.
Commonly confused with
Vicks plant
Similar habit but leaves are densely hairy (tomentose) and emit a strong menthol-camphor scent reminiscent of Vicks VapoRub when crushed. Verticillatus leaves are smooth and only mildly aromatic.
Coleus / painted nettle
The famous coleus is a Plectranthus too, but with vividly coloured patterned leaves (red, pink, yellow, green) and a more upright herbaceous habit. Verticillatus is plain green and trailing.
English ivy
Real ivy: lobed (3–5 pointed lobes per leaf), evergreen, climbing by adventitious roots, woody stem. Verticillatus has rounded scallop-edged leaves, opposite arrangement, mint-family habit. Visually distinct after one comparison.
Chinese money plant
Both share the colloquial English name 'money plant' in some regions. Pilea has round peltate leaves on long petioles; Plectranthus has scallop-edged leaves on a trailing stem. Different families.
Care
Light
Bright indirect light; tolerates medium light.
An east, north, or west window suits Swedish ivy well. Bright indirect light produces the densest leaf cover and most compact growth. Below 3,000 lux the plant becomes leggy with widely spaced leaves and pale colour. Direct unfiltered noon sun in summer can scorch the leaves; morning sun is fine. The species' tolerance of dim Nordic winters at 60°N is a major reason it became a windowsill staple in Swedish homes.
Seasonal: Nordic latitudes above 55°N: Swedish ivy is one of the few trailing plants that remains attractive through the dim October–March stretch without supplemental lighting. Some leaf elongation and paler colour is normal in winter; new spring growth restores compact form.
Water
When top 2 cm dries — every 5–7 days.
Water thoroughly until runoff, then let only the top 2 cm of soil dry before watering again. Plectranthus verticillatus is more thirsty than its succulent reputation suggests — the slightly fleshy leaves and stems hold some water, but the plant resents complete dry-out. Leaves go limp and droop visibly when underwatered, recovering within hours of watering.
Seasonal: Reduce frequency by about a third in winter when growth slows.
Soil
Standard well-draining peat-free houseplant mix.
Two parts peat-free houseplant mix, one part perlite. Swedish ivy is not fussy about soil composition — the same compost that suits pothos, philodendron, and tradescantia works fine. Drainage is more important than mix recipe.
Humidity
30–60 %; tolerates dry indoor air.
One of the most humidity-tolerant trailing plants. No misting, pebble tray, or humidifier required. Below 25 % over very long periods, the oldest leaves may brown at the tips, but new growth stays healthy. This is the killer feature for Nordic-apartment use: where calatheas and many tropicals struggle in dry winter air, Swedish ivy carries on.
Temperature
13–24 °C; tolerates 10 °C briefly.
Tolerant of cooler conditions than most tropical foliage plants. A 15 °C bedroom or hallway is fine year-round. Below 10 °C the plant slows dramatically and may drop a few leaves; below 5 °C tissue damage occurs. Avoid sustained cold draughts in winter.
Fertilizer
Half-strength balanced feed monthly in growing season.
Half-strength balanced NPK monthly April–September. A light feeder; over-fertilising produces overly soft leggy growth that flops more easily. Skip feeding October–March unless growth continues actively under good light.
Pruning
Pinch tips to encourage branching; cut back hard if leggy.
Pinch the growing tips of stems to encourage branching and a denser bushier form — the cut tips can be propagated immediately. Cut leggy plants back to 5–10 cm above the soil; new shoots emerge from dormant buds within 2–4 weeks. Swedish ivy tolerates very heavy pruning and rebounds vigorously.
Repotting
Every 2 years in spring.
Move up by one pot size in spring. Swedish ivy is a fast grower and benefits from periodic repotting. Use fresh peat-free houseplant mix. Refresh the top 2 cm of soil annually in non-repot years.
Stem cuttings in water
easy~5–10 daysThe classic 'glass of water on the windowsill' method. Cut a 5–10 cm stem tip with at least 2–3 nodes, strip the lowest leaves, and place the cut end in a glass of water. Roots emerge within 5–10 days. Pot into standard mix once roots are 2–3 cm long. Cuttings root in any season and Swedish ivy is the textbook starter plant for children learning to propagate.
Stem cuttings in soil
easy~2–3 weeksPush a 5–10 cm stem cutting directly into moist potting mix; roots form within 2–3 weeks. Multiple cuttings in the same pot produce a fuller display faster than waiting for one to bush out.
Layering
easy~3–6 weeksPin a long trailing stem to the surface of a neighbouring pot of moist soil; nodes touching soil root within 3–6 weeks. Cut the new plant from the parent once well-rooted. Effortless if you have an established plant.
Common problems
Plant becoming leggy with widely spaced leaves
Symptom
Stems elongate with 5–10 cm gaps between leaf pairs; lower leaves drop.
Cause
Light too low — Swedish ivy stretches toward brighter light if placed in deep shade.
Fix
Move to a brighter window. Cut leggy stems back to 5–10 cm above the soil and use the trimmed tips as cuttings. The cut-back plant rebounds with compact growth within 4–6 weeks.
Lower leaves yellowing and dropping
Symptom
Lower leaves on a stem go yellow and detach.
Cause
Most often overwatering; less often natural senescence as a long stem ages.
Fix
Check soil 5 cm down. If wet, reduce watering frequency. If senescence, simply pull off yellowed leaves and consider taking tip cuttings to start fresh — Swedish ivy ages fastest at the base.
Sticky honeydew and curling new leaves
Symptom
Sticky deposits on leaves; new growth curled with small green or black insects clustered along stems.
Cause
Aphids — common on Swedish ivy emerging tips.
Fix
Shower under tepid water to dislodge most aphids. Treat with insecticidal soap or 1:1 isopropyl alcohol + water spray, repeating weekly for 3–4 weeks. Severe infestations on a single plant rarely warrant heavy chemicals — taking tip cuttings and discarding the parent is often easier.
Whole plant collapsing with mushy black stems
Symptom
Stem bases turn black and soft; whole plant flops over.
Cause
Root and stem rot from waterlogged soil — uncommon in Swedish ivy but happens with chronic over-watering.
Fix
Take healthy stem-tip cuttings immediately and root them in water; the parent plant is usually beyond saving. Switch to a free-draining mix and water only when the top 2 cm is dry.
Leaves looking pale or chlorotic
Symptom
New leaves emerge yellow-green or pale; older leaves stay greener.
Cause
Nutrient deficiency, often nitrogen, from depleted soil or never-fertilised compost.
Fix
Begin half-strength balanced feed monthly in spring/summer. New leaves should emerge with normal green colour within 3–6 weeks.
- Aphids on emerging tips
- Spider mites in dry winter air
- Whitefly under leaves
- Root rot from overwatering
- Powdery mildew in stagnant cool conditions
Toxicity & safety
No reported toxicity. The leaves have a mild minty-herbal scent and are occasionally used as a culinary garnish in southern African and Indian cuisines, where the species is sometimes called 'leaf of life' or 'all-good plant'.
Plectranthus verticillatus — Plants For A FuturePlectranthus verticillatus is not listed in ASPCA's toxic plant database. Generally considered safe for cats with no documented poisoning cases.
ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants — Plectranthus not listed in toxic databasePlectranthus verticillatus is not listed in ASPCA's toxic plant database. Generally considered safe for dogs.
ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants — Plectranthus not listed in toxic databaseWhy Swedish ivy is the easiest plant to propagate, ever
If you teach a child or a complete beginner how to grow plants, Swedish ivy is the species to start with. The reason is that cuttings root with extraordinary speed and reliability, requiring nothing more sophisticated than a glass of tap water on a windowsill. A 5–10 cm stem tip placed cut-end-down in plain water at room temperature shows visible white roots within 5–10 days under normal household conditions — faster than almost any other commonly grown houseplant.
This biological reality has cultural consequences. Swedish ivy is the houseplant most commonly passed between neighbours, friends, and strangers as cuttings. A single mother plant in one household can effortlessly produce 20–30 new plants per year. In Nordic countries, this exchange-of-cuttings tradition is part of why the species is so ubiquitous — most established homes have a plant that traces back, generation by generation, to a much earlier original.
The technique generalises: any Plectranthus species roots from cuttings the same way, as do most of the closely-related Lamiaceae (basil, mint, oregano, rosemary). Once you've rooted Swedish ivy, the same skill carries to a wide range of plants. It's a textbook starter plant for anyone learning to propagate.
Swedish ivy vs the other windowsill classics
Nordic apartments traditionally have a few plant species that recur in almost every home: Tradescantia zebrina (wandering dude), Pilea peperomioides (Chinese money plant), Pelargonium (geraniums), Saintpaulia (African violet), and Plectranthus verticillatus (Swedish ivy). Each fills a slightly different niche on the windowsill.
Swedish ivy is the choice when you want a trailing plant that survives cool dim winters without complaint, propagates easily for sharing, and is unequivocally pet-safe. Wandering dude (Tradescantia zebrina) trails similarly but is mildly toxic and prefers more light. Pilea is upright, not trailing, and fussier about overwatering. Pelargoniums need more direct sun than most apartments offer in winter. African violets need humidity and warmth.
If you have one window with cool dim conditions — north-facing, or hidden behind another window in winter — Swedish ivy is probably the most reliable choice among trailing options. If you have a south-facing window with strong sun, any of the alternatives will do better; Swedish ivy survives but doesn't excel in hot bright conditions.
The other reason to choose Swedish ivy is the tradition itself: a plant in your apartment that started as a cutting from a friend, neighbour, or grandparent carries a small social history with it. The species supports that tradition mechanically (it propagates itself effortlessly) and culturally (it's recognised across generations).
Despite the name 'Swedish ivy', Plectranthus verticillatus is neither Swedish nor an ivy. The common name is thought to have arisen in 1950s-1960s North American horticulture trade, when the plant was being promoted by Swedish-American nurseries as an easy windowsill plant — the 'Swedish' label stuck even as the species' actual origin (South Africa) became more widely known. The plant became a fixture of US presidential portraits in the 1970s when a specimen was photographed in the Oval Office during the Carter administration; descendant cuttings of that very plant are reportedly still grown in the White House today.
Frequently asked · 5
Is Swedish ivy safe for cats and dogs?+
Yes — generally. Plectranthus verticillatus is not listed in the ASPCA's toxic plant database, and no poisoning cases are documented. The genus Plectranthus is widely regarded as pet-safe. The leaves are even mildly aromatic and edible as a herbal garnish in some cuisines. One of the better choices among trailing plants for pet households.
How do I propagate Swedish ivy?+
Cut a 5–10 cm stem tip with at least 2–3 nodes, strip the lowest leaves, and place the cut end in a glass of water on a windowsill. Roots emerge within 5–10 days. Pot into standard houseplant mix once roots are 2–3 cm long. The species also roots directly in moist potting mix in 2–3 weeks, or by pinning a long stem to neighbouring soil (layering). It is among the easiest plants to propagate, period.
Why is my Swedish ivy leggy?+
Light too low. Swedish ivy stretches toward brighter light when placed in deep shade, producing 5–10 cm gaps between leaf pairs and dropping lower leaves. Move to a brighter window (east, north, or west). Cut leggy stems back to 5–10 cm above the soil and root the trimmed tips as cuttings — the cut-back plant rebounds with compact growth within 4–6 weeks.
Is Swedish ivy actually Swedish?+
No. The species (Plectranthus verticillatus) is native to South Africa and Eswatini. The common name 'Swedish ivy' is a 1950s–60s North American horticulture-trade label that has nothing to do with the plant's origin and stuck even as the actual native range became more widely known. In Sweden itself, the plant is simply called 'palmblad' (palm leaf) or by the historical trade name 'Skindersalie'.
Why does my Swedish ivy droop suddenly?+
Almost always thirst. Swedish ivy leaves go limp and droop visibly when the soil dries out completely — earlier than most houseplants, because the slightly fleshy stems and leaves still don't store as much water as true succulents. Water thoroughly until runoff and the leaves should perk back up within a few hours. If they don't recover, suspect root rot from chronic overwatering and unpot to inspect.