Swedish Impatiens Plant Care
Plectranthus oertendahlii T.C.E.Fr.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Plectranthus oertendahlii is a species of flowering plant in the sage and mint family, Lamiaceae. Common names include silverleaf spurflower, Swedish ivy, Oertendahl's spurflower, November lights and Brazilian coleus, though it is native to eastern South Africa rather than Brazil.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Swedish Impatiens?
Water Swedish Impatiens every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Swedish Impatiens Native To?
What Is the Swedish Impatiens?
Swedish Impatiens (Plectranthus oertendahlii) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Plectranthus genus. Swedish Impatiens is native to eastern South Africa rather than Brazil. Swedish Impatiens is also known as Impatiens.
Swedish Impatiens displays a bushy, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Swedish Impatiens produces small, tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Swedish Impatiens?
Plectranthus oertendahlii requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Swedish Impatiens Need?
Swedish Impatiens thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Swedish Impatiens in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Swedish Impatiens Prefer?
Plectranthus oertendahlii grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Swedish Impatiens prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Swedish Impatiens?
Well-draining soil mix with added perlite for good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Swedish Impatiens to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Swedish Impatiens?
Feed Swedish Impatiens every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Swedish Impatiens?
Repot every 1-2 years 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 Swedish Impatiens?
Swedish Impatiens can be propagated through stem cuttings, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to moth orchid plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Swedish Impatiens Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Swedish Impatiens, 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 Swedish Impatiens?
Swedish Impatiens is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, aphids. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Swedish Impatiens Need?
Swedish Impatiens grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Swedish Impatiens is native to eastern South Africa rather than Brazil. In cooler regions, grow Swedish Impatiens as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Swedish Impatiens 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 Plectranthus genus — compare its care with other Plectranthus species on PlantoScan.
Plectranthus is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Swedish Impatiens thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Plectranthus Species
Other Plectranthus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Plectranthus oertendahlii T.C.E.Fr., family Lamiaceae (first published in Acta Horti Gothob. 1: 253 (1924)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Swedish Impatiens, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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.
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