Marginatus Variegated Swedish Ivy

Marginatus Variegated Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus forsteri 'Marginatus') is a compact, mounding groundcover with lightly aromatic, mint-like leaves edged in cream white. It reaches only 30cm high and 50cm wide, so it fits baskets, pots, windowboxes and garden borders alike. It brightens shade wherever it goes.

Why you'll love it

• Cream-edged leaves. Mid green leaves with a clean cream-white margin lift shaded corners.
• Compact and well behaved. A tidy mound of 30cm by 50cm that stays in bounds and does not smother its neighbours.
• Indoors or out. Use it as a houseplant, in a terrarium, in a basket, or as a border plant in subtropical gardens.
• Aromatic foliage. The mint-like leaves are lightly aromatic when brushed.
• Easygoing. It establishes quickly and asks little, with tiny pink flowers in summer as a bonus.

Where it works best

Hanging baskets, pots and windowboxes. The stems trail softly over the edge. In cold regions, treat it as a summer annual for baskets and keep a few cuttings inside for winter.

Garden borders and groundcover. In frost free subtropical gardens, plant 40cm apart for a continuous cream-edged carpet under trees and along shaded paths.

Indoors and terrariums. In a bright room away from hot sun it makes a neat houseplant, and its compact size suits larger terrariums.

Growing Marginatus Variegated Swedish Ivy in Australia

Position and climate. Dappled or part shade gives the best leaf colour. It is frost free only, so it lives outdoors year round in tropical, subtropical and the mildest warm temperate gardens, and as an annual or an indoor plant elsewhere.

Soil. Rich, loamy soil or a good potting mix, with good drainage.

Water and feed. Provide plenty of water for the first 12 weeks, or until established, and water regularly in dry periods. Feed with a liquid fertiliser monthly through spring and summer for lush coverage.

Pruning. Pinch back the tips to keep it bushy. Cuttings root easily in water or damp mix, so every trim can become a new plant.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Marginatus Variegated Swedish Ivy as tube stock and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly and is the economical choice for covering a border, while the 140mm pots give you a fuller plant to start with. Plants travel upright, and are best potted or planted out soon after arrival.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out, and the notify button on this page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Groundcover plants
• More variegated plants
• Plants for pots and containers
• The best groundcovers for shade in Australian gardens

Common questions

Can I grow it indoors?

Yes. It is used as a houseplant and in terrariums, and does best in bright light away from hot direct sun.

Will it survive frost?

No. Plant it out only in frost free gardens, or treat it as a summer annual and keep cuttings indoors over winter.

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 40cm apart for groundcover. The plants will knit together over time into one cream-edged carpet.