Vicks Plant – 1 Plant

Sold as 1 single small vicks plant, ranging in height of approximately 10 – 20cm

Vick’s Plant – Plectranthus grandidentatus

Family: Lamiaceae (Mint)

Plectranthus is the largest South African genus in the mint family (Lamiaceae), with 44 species natural to our region, most of which occur on the eastern side of the country.

Although Plectranthus tomentosa is known in Europe and elsewhere as the Vicks Plant, in South Africa Plectranthus grandidentatus is commonly called “Vicks Plant” for its leaves that smell like Vick’s Vap-O-Rub or menthol when crushed. The plant is indigenous to South Africa.

Plectranthus grandidentatus is a trailing perennial with soft, hairy stems reaching heights between 30 cm and 60 cm. The broadly ovate and semi-succulent leaves taper to pointed or rounded tips. They have conspicuously toothed margins. Leaf surfaces are velvety from a dense covering of hairs. There is also a conspicuous pattern of veins recessed on the upper leaf surfaces. The lower leaf surfaces are covered in red to brown gland dots. The leaf petioles are up to 8 cm long.

The plant grows as underbrush on dry rocky slopes and in wooded kloofs in the eastern parts of South Africa from the Eastern Cape to Limpopo. It is also found in Zimbabwe and beyond in tropical southern Africa

The flowers are white and exceptionally attractive to honey bees. The plant has a long flowering season that peaks in autumn, flowerless only in spring.

The plant can spread to three of four feet across. Prune it back by half every six months to reduce woodiness. It has a strong camphor aroma when you rub the leaves. Excellent in herb mixtures (usually very hard to find). Very fast growing – ideal for filling empty spots.

The vicks plant leaves can be steeped in boiling water to vapourize the characteristic oils which are then inhaled, helping to clear nasal and respiratory passages. The leaves can also be applied as a poultice, or prepared in petroleum jelly-based ointments. Petroleum jelly works well.