PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; tolerate dappled afternoon shade in hot Mediterranean climates
Watering
Water deeply when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot
Temperature
Hardy to -10°C; tolerate moderate summer heat, avoid prolonged exposure above 32°C
Characteristics
- Leaf: Ovate to lanceolate, softly hairy, serrated margins, green to gray-green foliage
- Flower: Dense terminal spikes of small purple to pink tubular blooms with two-lipped corollas
- Stem: Square, hairy, upright branching stems typical of the mint family
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
Fertilization
Diluted balanced feed every 4 weeks. Avoid over-fertilization to prevent leggy growth
Banana peel compost tea：Compost banana peels for 2 weeks, steep in water for 24 hours, dilute 1:20 for root drench to support floweringPruning
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage extended flowering through late summer
- Cut back stems to ground level in late autumn to promote vigorous new growth in spring
- Thin crowded stems in early spring to improve airflow and reduce fungal disease risk
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: No listed toxicity to cats
Humans: No documented toxic effects for humans
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Ornamental garden plant; historically used in traditional medicine for wound care
