Plant Care Guide

Mona Lavender

Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’

Mona Lavender is a gorgeous hybrid Plectranthus known for its purple tubular blooms and shimmering green-and-purple foliage. Unlike most flowering plants that peak in spring or summer, Mona Lavender blooms in fall and winter, making it a favorite for those wanting cool-season color. This plant thrives both outdoors in warm climates and indoors as a bright-light houseplant. Easy to grow, fast to bloom, and beautiful even when notflowerin; —Mona Lavender is a standout in any collection.

Watering Requirements

Mona Lavender is a thirsty plant that loves consistent moisture. 

Watering Schedule 

  • Water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry 
  • Keep soil evenly moist but never soggy 
  • Increase watering during the bloom period (fall–winter) 
  • Reduce watering slightly in warm summer dormancy 
  • Ensure proper drainage to avoid rot 

Signs of Underwatering 

  • Curling leaves 
  • Drooping stems 
  • Dry, pale foliage 

Signs of Overwatering 

  • Mushy stems 
  • Yellowing leaves 
  • Dark, limp foliage or root rot 

Pro Tips

Bottom-water occasionally (allowing water to soak up through drainage holes) to hydrate the root ball evenly and reduce the risk of crown rot.

Light Requirements

Mona Lavender requires bright, indirect light for rich color and flowering. 

Ideal Light Conditions 

  • Bright indirect light for most of the day 
  • A few hours of gentle morning sun is ideal 
  • Indoors: place near an east or bright south window 
  • Outdoors: part shade; avoid intense afternoon sun in hot climates 

Too Little Light 

  • Leggy growth 
  • Dull leaf color 
  • No flowers 

Too Much Light 

  • Bleached or crispy leaves 
  • Drooping in heat 

Pro Tips

If your plant isn’t blooming by fall, increase light exposure. Blooming is strongly tied to day length + brightness.

Soil & Potting

Mona Lavender prefers a loose, rich mix that drains well. 

Best Soil Conditions 

  • Slightly acidic (pH 5.6–6.5) 
  • Rich in organic matter 
  • Light, aerated soil to avoid moisture buildup 
  • A good mix: potting soil + perlite + pine bark or peat 

Potting Notes 

  • Repot every 1–2 years 
  • Choose pots with excellent drainage 
  • Refresh soil yearly to maintain nutrients 

Pro Tips

Avoid heavy garden soil. Dense mixes slow drainage and cause the root system to rot, especially during winter bloom season.

Fertilizing

Mona Lavender doesn’t need heavy feeding. 

Feeding Schedule 

  • Fertilize every 6–10 weeks during active growth 
  • Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer 
  • Pause fertilizing during flowering (fall–winter) 
  • Resume in spring when bloom cycle ends 

Pro Tips

If foliage is vibrant but blooms are absent,you're likely overfertilizing. Excess nitrogen suppresses flower production.

Pruning & Maintenance

Pruning helps Mona Lavender stay compact and bushy. 

Pruning Tips 

  • Pinch tips of young plants to encourage branching 
  • Trim leggy stems for shape 
  • Remove faded flower spikes after blooming 
  • Propagate cuttings from trimmed tips 

Pro Tips

Pinching regularly is the secret to a full, mound-shaped plant; especially important for indoor specimens prone to legginess.

Common Problems & Solutions

No Blooms 

Cause: Lack of bright light, or too much fertilizer 

Fix: Increase light; stop feeding until spring 

Leaf Curling 

Cause: Underwatering 

Fix: Water more consistently and check soil moisture depth 

Leggy Growth 

Cause: Insufficient indoor light 

Fix: Move to a brighter window or use a grow light 

Pests 

Occasional: whiteflies, spider mites, aphids 

Fix: Neem oil, horticultural soap, or rinse leaves weekly 

Pro Tips

If leaves look pale and washed out, check soil pH; Mona Lavender performs best in slightly acidic mixes and loses color in alkaline soils.