Mona Lavender Plectranthus Mona Lavender = 'Plepalila' (PBR)
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ABOUT
The Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender', commonly known as Mona Lavender, is an attractive and colorful plant that boasts lush, velvety leaves and showcases a rich, deep green color with pronounced veins. The underside of each leaf is a vibrant purple, adding a surprising pop of color beneath the foliage. Mona Lavender blooms profusely, offering a display of delicate lavender flowers that form on spikes above the foliage, lending a splash of soft purple to the overall appearance of the plant. The flowers are tubular and open out into a five-petaled, orchid-like shape, providing a contrast to the dark green leaves. This plant typically has a bushy habit, creating a dense and full appearance that is both pleasing to the eye and effective at filling space in a garden or indoor setting.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Mona Lavender, Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender'.
Common names
Plectranthus 'Plepalila' (PBR)
ToxicityTo humans
Mona Lavender is not known to be toxic to humans. However, as with many plants, it is always best to exercise caution and prevent the ingestion of any part of the plant, as individual sensitivities could still potentially cause stomach upset or an allergic reaction in some people.
To pets
Mona Lavender is not known to be toxic to pets. While it is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, it's still advisable to prevent your pets from ingesting the plant. Even non-toxic plants can cause gastrointestinal upset if consumed in large amounts or could lead to an allergic reaction in sensitive animals.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Lavender
Height
2 feet (60 cm)
Spread
2 feet (60 cm)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
10
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Foliage: Mona Lavender features lush green leaves with deep purple undersides, providing visual interest even when the plant is not in bloom.
- Vibrant Flowers: It produces vibrant lavender-purple flowers that can add a splash of color to any garden or indoor space.
- Shade Tolerance: This plant thrives in partial shade, making it an ideal choice for areas of the garden that don't receive full sunlight.
- Low Maintenance: Mona Lavender is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal pruning and upkeep, suiting both novice and experienced gardeners.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, it has a level of drought tolerance, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Continuous Blooming: The plant has the ability to bloom almost year-round in the right conditions, providing long-lasting appeal.
- Adaptable as a Houseplant: Mona Lavender can be grown indoors, allowing those without gardens to enjoy its beauty.
- Non-Invasiveness: Unlike some ornamentals, Mona Lavender does not tend to be invasive, making it a good neighbor in mixed plantings.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Ink Production: The intense purple color of the Mona Lavender's foliage can be used to create a natural dye for inks.
- Photography: Leaves of the Mona Lavender can be used in photograms, a type of contact print photography that uses plant material.
- Colorant in Art Supplies: Mona Lavender leaves can be crushed to extract their color for use in homemade watercolors or pastels.
- Decorative Pressing: The decorative leaves and flowers of the Mona Lavender can be pressed and used in crafts such as scrapbooking or card making.
- Educational Tool: The various growth stages of the Mona Lavender can be useful for teaching about plant life cycles in educational settings.
- Fragrance Sachets: Dried Mona Lavender leaves can be used to fill sachets for a subtle, floral fragrance in drawers and closets.
- Culinary Garnish: Although not a common herb for consumption, the vibrant color of Mona Lavender flowers can be used to decorate desserts or salads.
- Flower Arrangements: The long-lasting flowers of Mona Lavender can be used in fresh or dried floral arrangements.
- Natural Confetti: Dry and crumble the petals of Mona Lavender for an eco-friendly confetti alternative.
- Botanical Illustration: Mona Lavender can serve as a live model for botanical artists to study and depict.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Mona Lavender is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Mona Lavender is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Relaxation: The calming lavender color of Mona Lavender flowers is often associated with relaxation and stress relief, similar to the properties that true lavender plants are known for.
- Beauty and Elegance: The aesthetically pleasing arrangement of the flowers combined with their striking color is symbolic of elegance and a beautiful appearance.
- Resilience: As a robust and adaptable plant, Mona Lavender represents the ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, symbolizing resilience and adaptability.
- Warmth and Comfort: The warmth of the lavender hue can symbolize comfort and nurturing, providing a sense of homeliness to any environment.
WaterMona Lavender should be watered when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch, which typically amounts to once or twice a week depending on environmental conditions. Use room temperature water and aim to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. During the active growing season in spring and summer, the plant may require more frequent watering, possibly using about 16 ounces per week for a pot that is 6 inches in diameter. Reduce watering in fall and winter to match the plant's reduced growth and evaporation rates.
LightMona Lavender thrives in bright, indirect light, making locations near east- or west-facing windows ideal. It can tolerate some morning direct sunlight but should be shielded from the intense afternoon sun. In indoor settings, a spot that receives filtered sunlight throughout the day will encourage healthy growth without the risk of leaf scorch.
TemperatureMona Lavender prefers temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth. It can survive in temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit but should be protected from drafts and temperature drops below this point. The plant enjoys a warm environment and should not be exposed to temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, as heat stress can negatively impact its health.
PruningPrune Mona Lavender to maintain its shape and encourage bushier growth. This should be done after a flowering cycle or in early spring, trimming back leggy stems and removing spent flowering spikes. Deadheading is often enough for continuous blooms but cut back more if needed for size control or to remove damaged leaves. Pruning every couple of months during the growing season, or as necessary, will keep the plant looking tidy.
CleaningAs needed
SoilMona Lavender prefers a well-draining potting mix with peat, perlite, and compost. A soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is ideal for this plant.
RepottingMona Lavender should be repotted every 1-2 years to refresh the soil and promote healthy growth.
Humidity & MistingMona Lavender thrives in moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 40-60%.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, shelter from hot afternoon sun.
Hardiness zone
10-11 USDA
Life cycleMona Lavender begins its life cycle when its small, delicate seeds germinate, requiring warmth, light, and moisture. Seedlings soon emerge, developing into young plants with characteristic fuzzy, dark green leaves and square stems, a trait of the mint family. As it matures, Mona Lavender will enter its vegetative stage, during which it experiences robust growth, can be propagated through cuttings, and benefits from regular watering and bright indirect sunlight. When the plant reaches maturity, it blossoms in the warmer months, producing striking spikes of lavender-purple flowers that attract pollinators. After blooming, it may become semi-dormant in cooler seasons, with reduced water needs, thus preserving its energy. The cycle can be repeated annually with proper care, as Mona Lavender is generally a perennial in frost-free climates but treated as an annual where winters are harsh.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' is commonly propagated by stem cuttings, a method that suits most home gardeners and professionals alike due to its simplicity and effectiveness. This process is typically conducted in spring or early summer when the plant's growth is most active. To propagate, a healthy stem cutting about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) long is selected, ensuring it has several leaf nodes. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end of the stem is dipped into a rooting hormone to encourage root development. The prepared cutting is then placed in a well-draining potting mix, and the environment is kept humid by covering the pot with a plastic bag or placing it in a propagator. The cutting should be kept in indirect light and maintained at a temperature around 70°F (approximately 21°C), with the rooting typically taking place over the course of a few weeks. Once new growth appears, it indicates that the cutting has successfully rooted and can be transplanted into a larger pot or garden setting.
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