If you are looking for a native under story plant to grow where no plant has succeeded before give Plectranthus argentatus a try. It will grow in the dry soil under large trees and ramble about filling in bare patches creating a dense silver layer to a dark forgotten corner.

Plectranthus argentatus has a lightly suckering root system, enabling it to spread in somewhat a weedy habit, you need to keep an eye on it or it may just colonise into precious areas of your garden.

It needs to be cut back quite hard in late winter, as it can get very leggy and scrappy looking. It will also grow in dry, sunny positions, making it a versatile garden plant in subtropical gardens.

It combines well with strappy leaved plants like Dianella caerulea, Lomandra ‘Tanika’ and Asplenium nidus, as well as Corea’s. The large furry silver leaves blend in with rainforest or tropical plants but also provide structure and continuity in a contemporary style.

The silver colour of the leaves is what makes this plant so popular. It provides a great contrast and also lets the eye pick up on all other silver tones in the garden.

The soft velvety textured leaves on this plants makes you want to get into the garden beds and touch them. This makes they a great plant for a playground or sensory garden.

Growing between 1mt tall and wide, it is drought and heat tolerant, whilst also covering the ground and suppressing weeds.

Its silvery leaves are really putting on a show here, with the lilac flower spikes creating a wispy look. The flowers appear in summer to autumn. It has spikes of small blue to lilac flowers in late summer to autumn. Remember to prune if it is getting leggy, it will respond well.

Here Plectranthus is planted in a public space, the flower spikes glowing in the sunlight as commuters walk to work.

Mass planting along this fence line and in shade, the silver contrast in a dark spot adds interest to the space.

Common name for Plectranthus argentatus is silver spurflower, belonging to the mint family.