King’s Plant, botanically Plectranthus verticillatus, is a cherished choice for indoor gardeners and outdoor ground cover in warmer climates. Also known as Swedish Ivy or Creeping Charlie, its popularity stems from its ease of cultivation and appealing appearance. Its lush foliage gracefully cascades, making it excellent for hanging baskets or as a spreading accent in garden beds.
Understanding King’s Plant
Plectranthus verticillatus is native to southern Africa, thriving in shaded, humid forest understories. Despite its common name, Swedish Ivy, it is not a true ivy nor native to Sweden. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which includes mint and sage, and is a perennial semi-succulent.
This plant showcases soft, slightly fleshy, glossy green leaves, often with scalloped edges and sometimes a purple underside. Its trailing stems can spread up to 2-3 feet, with individual stems reaching 4-12 inches, creating a full, cascading effect in containers or as groundcover. Small, tubular flowers, ranging from white to pale mauve, can appear sporadically.
Caring for King’s Plant
King’s Plant adapts well to various indoor conditions, making it a low-maintenance option. Providing optimal growing conditions encourages vigorous growth and maintains its attractive foliage.
Light
King’s Plant thrives in bright, indirect light. An east or north-facing window is ideal, providing sufficient illumination without harsh direct sunlight, which can scorch leaves. Leggy growth with increased spacing between leaves indicates insufficient light, requiring a brighter location.
Watering
Maintain consistent soil moisture, avoiding waterlogging. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Watering frequency increases during spring and summer, decreasing in cooler winter months. Overwatering leads to root rot, while underwatering causes leaves to wilt or drop.
Soil
A well-draining potting mix is important to prevent water accumulation around the roots. A standard general-purpose or peat-based potting mix works well, providing good drainage and aeration. Incorporating perlite or coarse sand enhances drainage, while coco coir or peat moss aids moisture retention. The plant prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, typically 6.0 to 7.5.
Temperature and Humidity
King’s Plant prefers average room temperatures, ideally 60–75°F (16–24°C) year-round. Avoid temperatures consistently below 50°F (10°C), as this tropical plant is not frost-tolerant. It appreciates moderate to high humidity. Increase humidity by misting leaves, placing the pot on a pebble tray, or grouping plants.
Fertilizing
During active growth from spring through fall, King’s Plant benefits from regular fertilization. A balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 NPK) applied every two to four weeks is suitable. Dilute the fertilizer to half the recommended strength to prevent nutrient burn. Reduce or stop fertilization entirely during winter when growth slows.
Propagating King’s Plant
Propagating King’s Plant through stem cuttings is a straightforward and successful method for multiplying new plants. This plant roots easily.
Select healthy, non-flowering stems about 4-6 inches long, ideally from new growth in spring or early summer. Using clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears, cut just below a node. Remove leaves from the bottom 1-2 inches of the cutting, ensuring at least one node is exposed, as roots emerge from these points. Any part submerged in water or planted in soil should be free of leaves to prevent rotting.
Cuttings can be rooted in water or moist potting medium. For water propagation, place cuttings in a jar of water with defoliated nodes submerged, in bright, indirect light. Change water every few days. Roots typically form within one to two weeks. For soil propagation, plant cuttings directly into a small pot with damp, well-draining potting mix, making a hole first to avoid damage. Keep the soil consistently moist. Once a healthy root system develops (a few weeks), new plants can be potted into larger containers.
Common Issues and Solutions
While King’s Plant is generally robust, signs of distress indicate underlying issues. Addressing these promptly helps maintain the plant’s health and appearance.
Yellowing leaves are common and can stem from several causes. Overwatering, leading to poor drainage and root rot, is a frequent culprit, causing mushy yellow leaves. Insufficient watering also causes yellowing, often with wilting or crispy foliage. Nutrient deficiencies, particularly nitrogen, manifest as general yellowing, especially on older leaves. Proper watering and balanced fertilizer during the growing season can alleviate these issues.
Pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids can occasionally affect King’s Plant, appearing on new growth or undersides of leaves. Spider mites cause a speckled appearance and fine webbing, while mealybugs resemble small, cottony masses. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on stems and leaves. Manage pests by wiping them off with a damp cloth, using insecticidal soap, or applying neem oil. Multiple applications may be necessary for severe infestations.