Black Swedish Ivy Live Plant – Plectranthus ‘Gothic’ – 2.5″ Pot

Overview

Introduce a dramatic flair to your indoor garden with the stunning black swedish ivy live plant. This captivating Plectranthus variety, known as ‘Gothic’, is celebrated for its exceptionally dark, nearly black foliage with beautifully scalloped edges. Perfect for adding contrast and texture to any plant collection, this vigorous foliage plant drapes elegantly over the rims of containers, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets, window boxes, or as a sophisticated accent in mixed planters. The Plectranthus ‘Gothic’ is not only visually striking but also offers a unique, subtle fragrance from its leaves, enhancing the ambiance of your living space. As a houseplant, it’s known for its adaptability and relatively low maintenance, making it suitable for both experienced gardeners and those new to indoor plant care.

The common name, Swedish Ivy, hints at its trailing growth habit, while its botanical name, Plectranthus, encompasses a diverse group of plants cherished for their ornamental foliage. This particular cultivar stands out with its deep, rich coloration, providing a sophisticated and unique aesthetic that complements various decor styles. Whether you’re looking to create a lush, cascading display or a bold focal point, the black swedish ivy live plant is a versatile and rewarding addition to your home.

Key Benefits

The black swedish ivy live plant offers a multitude of benefits that make it a favorite among plant enthusiasts. Its unique appearance and ease of care contribute to a delightful gardening experience.

• Striking Visual Appeal: The deep, nearly black, scalloped leaves of Plectranthus ‘Gothic’ provide a dramatic contrast to lighter foliage and flowers, making it a standout decorative element in any setting. It adds depth and sophistication to container arrangements.
• Versatile Display Options: Its vigorous, trailing growth habit makes it perfect for hanging baskets, allowing its dark foliage to cascade beautifully. It also thrives in window boxes, shelves, or as a ‘spiller’ in larger container plantings, adapting to various display needs.
• Fragrant Foliage: Unlike many foliage plants, the leaves of this Swedish Ivy are notably fragrant, adding an extra sensory dimension to your indoor environment. The subtle scent can be a pleasant surprise when brushed against.
• Easy to Grow: This plant is known for its resilience and adaptability, making it an excellent choice for beginners. It tolerates a range of indoor conditions and recovers well from occasional neglect, simplifying plant care.
• Air Purification: Like many houseplants, the black swedish ivy live plant contributes to improved indoor air quality by absorbing common pollutants, creating a healthier and more refreshing living space.
• Rapid Growth: Enjoy a quickly developing plant that fills out containers and baskets with lush foliage in a relatively short period. Regular trimming encourages bushier growth and maintains its desired shape.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, the Plectranthus ‘Gothic’ care requirements are minimal, primarily involving consistent watering and occasional pruning. This makes it a rewarding plant for busy individuals.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your black swedish ivy live plant is straightforward, ensuring it remains vibrant and healthy with its striking dark foliage. This plant generally thrives with moderate attention.

Sunlight Requirements: Plectranthus ‘Gothic’ prefers bright, indirect light. While it can tolerate some morning sun, direct afternoon sun can scorch its dark leaves. An east-facing window is ideal, or a few feet away from a south or west-facing window. Insufficient light can lead to leggy growth and less intense leaf coloration. Rotate the plant periodically to ensure even growth. For optimal dark foliage plants, consistent light is key.

Watering Schedule & Soil Moisture: Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Allow excess water to drain completely from the pot to prevent root rot. This plant does not like to sit in soggy soil, but it also dislikes drying out completely. Reduce watering slightly during the cooler, less active growth months. Good drainage is paramount for healthy roots. The fragrant foliage is a good indicator of plant health.

Soil Type & Drainage: Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix. A standard all-purpose potting soil amended with perlite or coarse sand for improved drainage works well. The soil should be light and airy to prevent compaction and allow roots to breathe. Ensure your pot has drainage holes.

Temperature Range & USDA Hardiness Zone: As a tropical plant, Swedish Ivy thrives in warm temperatures, ideally between 65-80°F (18-27°C). It is not frost-tolerant and should be kept indoors in cooler climates. It is typically grown as an indoor plant across all USDA zones, but can be grown outdoors as an annual in zones 9-11 or brought indoors before the first frost. Avoid sudden temperature fluctuations.

Fertilization Schedule: Feed your indoor ivy plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 2-4 weeks during the active growing season (spring and summer). Reduce or cease fertilization during fall and winter when growth slows. Over-fertilization can lead to salt buildup in the soil, which can harm the plant.

Pruning & Maintenance: Trim as needed to encourage new, bushier growth and maintain the desired shape and size. Pinch back leggy stems to promote branching. This also helps to keep the plant full and prevents it from becoming sparse. Regular pruning is a vital part of plectranthus gothic care. Watch out for common houseplant pests like spider mites or mealybugs, and treat promptly if observed.

Size & Details

This offering includes one black swedish ivy live plant, carefully cultivated and shipped in a 2.5 inch pot. At the time of shipment, the plant will have established roots and healthy foliage, ready to thrive in its new home. While individual plant sizes may vary slightly depending on growth stage, you can expect a robust young plant with multiple stems, exhibiting the characteristic dark, scalloped leaves of the ‘Gothic’ variety. This plant is a relatively fast grower, and with proper Plectranthus ‘Gothic’ care, it will quickly begin to trail, reaching lengths of 12-24 inches or more in hanging baskets. It is typically sold as a compact desk-friendly size, making it easy to integrate into existing plant displays or to start a new collection of hanging basket plants. Expected to mature and fill out within a few months of receiving, providing continuous beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this black swedish ivy plant get? A: With proper care, the stems of this black swedish ivy live plant can trail up to 1-2 feet or more, making it ideal for hanging baskets. Its width will depend on how frequently it’s pruned and allowed to branch out.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: This plant is shipped in a 2.5 inch pot, providing a good starter size for transplanting into a larger decorative pot or hanging basket upon arrival.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: While it can be grown outdoors as an annual in warm climates (USDA Zones 9-11), it is primarily cultivated as an indoor ivy plant due to its sensitivity to cold temperatures.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: The Plectranthus ‘Gothic’ thrives in bright, indirect light. Avoid harsh, direct afternoon sun, which can scorch its leaves. Morning sun is generally tolerated.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, it is considered a relatively easy-care houseplant, making it suitable for beginners. Consistent watering and bright, indirect light are its main requirements for healthy growth.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your black swedish ivy live plant will arrive well-packaged, with healthy foliage and an established root system, ready to be cared for. We ensure safe transit of our dark foliage plants.
• Q: Is it shipped in soil? A: Yes, the plant will be shipped securely in its 2.5 inch nursery pot with its original soil, minimizing root disturbance during transit.
• Q: Can I propagate this plant? A: Absolutely! Plectranthus ‘Gothic’ is very easy to propagate from stem cuttings placed in water or moist soil, allowing you to create more hanging basket plants.
• Q: What’s the best soil for this plant? A: A well-draining potting mix is essential. You can use a standard potting soil amended with perlite to ensure good aeration and drainage for your black swedish ivy live plant.
• Q: How often should I fertilize it? A: During the growing season (spring and summer), fertilize every 2-4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Reduce or stop fertilizing in fall and winter.