Blue Spur Flower, Candlestick Plant (Plectranthus ciliatus)

Blue spur flower (Plectranthus ciliatus), also called speckled spur flower or candlestick plant, is a trailing, shade-tolerant perennial native to South Africa. A member of the Lamiaceae family, it's grown for its attractive foliage and spikes of pale blue flowers.

Description

Prostrate to trailing habit, 1–2 feet tall, spreading 3–6 feet. Leaves are ovate, toothed, 2–3 inches, green with purple undersides and ciliate (fringed) margins. Stems root at nodes. Flowers are small, tubular, pale blue to lilac, in slender spikes above foliage. Blooms late summer to fall.

Growing Conditions

• Zones: 10–11 as perennial; grown as annual/houseplant elsewhere.
• Light: Part shade to full shade. Tolerates morning sun.
• Soil: Well-drained, rich, moist.
• Water: Consistent moisture; don't let dry out.
• Temperature: Mild; damaged by frost.

Care & Maintenance

Pinch for bushiness. Feed monthly with balanced fertilizer. Propagate easily from stem cuttings. Overwinter indoors in bright shade. Good groundcover in frost-free shade.

Uses

Shade groundcover, hanging baskets, containers, understory planting. Houseplant for low light. Combines with ferns, impatiens, hostas.

Potential Issues

Root rot in wet soil. Mealybugs, whiteflies. Can be weedy in ideal climates. Frost-tender.

A lush, trailing shade plant with fringed leaves and delicate blue flowers.