Does it need full sun?

No, it prefers partial shade to protect its delicate leaves from scorching.

Can I grow it indoors?

Yes, it makes an excellent houseplant in a bright, humid room.

Plant guide

Swedish ivy.

Plectranthus australis

Pronounced KOH-lee-us aw-STRAH-lis

Also known as Plectranthus australis

little spurflower — Photo by Thomas Mesaglio (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Swedish ivy is a charming, trailing plant that is perfect for hanging baskets. It is not actually an ivy, but a member of the mint family that thrives indoors. You will love how quickly it grows and fills out a space.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Bright indirect light is best for keeping the foliage vibrant.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 30 to 60 cm tall and 60 to 90 cm wide
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late summer to autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Pinch back the stems regularly to encourage a fuller, bushier shape. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the plant is getting too much water.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Pinch back growing tips to maintain a compact, bushy habit.
Repotting: Repot when the roots begin to fill the container.
Soil: Well-draining, peat-based potting mix.
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 10 to 30°C
Humidity: 50 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 2 to 3 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic but can cause mild irritation if handled excessively.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep out of reach of small children to prevent accidental ingestion of plant material.
Contact allergens: The stems and leaves may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause digestive upset if ingested.

How to identify it

glossy, rounded, scalloped leaves
trailing, square stems
small, white or pale purple flowers
opposite leaf arrangement

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.5m
Leaves: green, purple, maroon, evergreen
Flowers: blue, white, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
EdemaUncommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon
WhiteflyUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Bring containers indoors before the first frost. Keep the plant in a bright room and reduce watering during the cooler months.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided the pot has good drainage and is at least 20 centimeters wide.

Stem Cuttings

1. Take a 10 centimeter cutting from a healthy stem.
2. Remove the lower leaves.
3. Place the cutting in water or moist potting mix.
4. Keep in bright, indirect light until roots form.

Group plants with similar water needs to ensure the soil stays consistently moist without becoming soggy.

Grows well with

Impatiens · They share similar light and moisture requirements for a lush shade display.
Ferns · The contrasting textures of fern fronds and coleus leaves look beautiful together.

Similar species

Painted Nettle · It is a more common relative with a much wider variety of leaf colors and patterns.

Science

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Coleus
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern Australia
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in its native range.

It typically grows in the understory of moist forests where it benefits from filtered light.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: container plant, shade garden filler, indoor foliage

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 6/9
Temperature: 7/9
Salinity: 1/9
Light: 3/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: No, it prefers partial shade to protect its delicate leaves from scorching.
Can I grow it indoors?: Yes, it makes an excellent houseplant in a bright, humid room.

Where the name comes from

The specific epithet australis refers to its native distribution in the southern hemisphere.

Good to know

It is a member of the mint family.
The foliage color intensifies in bright, indirect light.
It is often grown as an annual in cooler climates.

Keep your swedish ivy growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.