Plectranthus

Plectranthus is a trailing or straggling herb or shrub that is an attractive garden escapee.

Description

• Stems are covered with purple hairs with runners that root at the nodes.

• Leaves are hairy, shiny and serrated, with green tops and purple undersides.

• Flowers are tubular, white, flecked with purple inside the lower lip, and 30cm long (December-August).

• Vegetative spread from runners.

• Habitats include coastal areas, forest, forest margins, open areas, banks, clay, pasture, roadsides, shrubland, and wasteland.

What you need to know

Plectranthus forms dense mats, suppressing native seedling regeneration.

Management approach

Plectranthus is declared an unwanted organism by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) because it is capable of causing harm to the natural environment, physical resources or human health in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

These species pose a high risk to our environment, economy, recreation, and cultural values.

Rules

Any species declared a pest cannot be sold or be in a place where plants are being sold. Pest plants cannot be propagated, bred, multiplied, communicated, released, caused to be released, or otherwise spread.

To help protect our environment:

Consider removing this invasive species from your property and consult your local council for appropriate disposal. Consider lower-risk alternatives for your garden, such as native plants.

Control

Site management

Follow up treated areas three times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after 2-3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.

Physical control

Dig out

Plant parts requiring disposal: all parts

Contact your local council for appropriate disposal locations

Chemical control

Foliar spray with 20ml glyphosate plus 2ml penetrant per 1L of water.

Foliar spray with 0.5g metsulfuron-methyl plus 3ml penetrant per 1L of water.

Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.