Ceylon Leucas Plant Care
Leucas zeylanica (L.) R.Br.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Leucas zeylanica, commonly known as Ceylon slitwort, is a small, terrestrial, herbaceous, annual, erect or sometimes tufted, hispid and aromatic plant of the subfamily Lamioideae of family Lamiaceae. It is native to tropical Asia.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Ceylon Leucas?
Ceylon Leucas grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Ceylon Leucas Native To?
What Is the Ceylon Leucas?
Ceylon Leucas (Leucas zeylanica) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Leucas genus. Ceylon Leucas is native to tropical Asia.
Ceylon Leucas displays a low spreading herb growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Ceylon Leucas produces small tubular white flowers in dense spikes.
What Light Does the Ceylon Leucas Need?
Ceylon Leucas thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Ceylon Leucas?
Well-draining sandy loam with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Ceylon Leucas to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Ceylon Leucas?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Ceylon Leucas?
Ceylon Leucas can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to leucas flagellifera plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Ceylon Leucas Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Ceylon Leucas, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Ceylon Leucas?
Ceylon Leucas is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Ceylon Leucas is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Leucas genus — compare its care with other Leucas species on PlantoScan.
Leucas is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Ceylon Leucas thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Leucas Species
Other Leucas species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Leucas zeylanica (L.) R.Br., family Lamiaceae (first published in Hortus Kew. 3: 409 (1811)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Ceylon Leucas, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Ceylon Leucas Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species