Vicks Plant
Plant Size Guide
Vicks Plant
Plectranthus tomentosa
days to maturity:
plant spacing: 1 plant every 3 feet
sunlight requirements: 6-14 hours
look out for: none
harvest notes: easy to grow, NOT edible
perennial
Vicks plant is one of our most ‘house-planty’ offerings because its super hearty, tolerates very deep shade and can thrive in a pot long term.
Vicks plant can be used for either to make your own version of Vicks Vapor Rub, or as a replacement of it. The leaves can be steeped in boiling water, vaporizing the volatile oils. The steam is then inhaled, helping to clear nasal and respiratory passages. The leaves can also be applied as a poultice or prepared as an ointment. The strong methol aroma of Vicks plant is also great for making your own mosquito repellents.
Theres lots of confusion online about the difference between Vicks plant and its close relative “cuban oregano” (which we also sell, in 3 different colors) but one sniff of the two plants and you’ll be able to tell them apart straight away. Cuban oregano has much larger leaves that aren’t cupped upwards and are less fleshy, and they smell like oregano. Vicks plant leaves are very small, extra fuzzy and they smell exactly like Vicks vapor rub from the store.
Vicks plant is a succulent, so it likes cactus-like growing conditions, including well draining soil and not much water. When you do water it, try to water the base of the plant and not get the leaves too wet. If grown in the shade your plant will stretch out and become more wild and sprawling looking, and if you put it in full sun it’ll grow more dense and compact. This plant is very easy to propagate from cuttings so if you want to share it with friends or make yourself a bunch of plants just stick a green stem cutting in water in the shade and in a week or 2 it will sprout roots.
Delivery Details
Delivery Details
When you place your order we head into our greenhouse to select the very best plants we have in stock for your garden. We label them with handwritten compostable wooden labels and pack them in recyclable boxes to keep them safe on their journey. Our delivery partners, Roadie, take it from there and head to the Redlands to pick up your order. Communication and tracking take place via Roadie and your driver will leave your plants in a safe and covered area.
Plant Care
Plant Care
When your plant delivery arrives, make sure you water your new plants thoroughly with a light spray of water (none of this thumb over the hose stuff). We recommend planting them within 10 days of receiving them. If you do intent to wait to plant them, we recommend placing them in a shallow reservoir (like a baking pan) and filling it with half an inch of water so they can drink the water from below while you are at work and place them in an area with plenty of sun. When planting in your garden always add a dash of Organic granular fertilizer, and give them extra water during their first week in their new home, while they adjust. We recommend disturbing the root ball as little as possible during planting.
About Our Plants
About Our Plants
All of our plants are grown in OMRI certified Organic materials (potting mix, fertilizer, seeds, etc.) and include Organic granular fertilizer, living locally-made compost, and have been cared for with healthy microorganisms from compost tea and microbial inoculants. We only use organic pesticides when needed. We only stock varieties that we have experience growing and that are season and climate appropriate for South Florida. Our curated inventory is simple enough for a beginner and interesting enough to keep an advanced gardeners attention, with new and rare varieties being added weekly.
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Clients Love Us
"Smooth, seamless experience. Professional packaging and delivery. I have two healthy plants... life is good."
"What a wonderful experience. Great customer service, and so helpful with all my questions and very accommodating. Would definitely recommend and will be buying again in the future."
“Healthy foliage when this plant arrived, and pushed out a bloom less than two weeks after being planted. Excellent!”
"As always, awesome customer service, large healthy plants!! Thank you so much!!"
Now Little River Nursery & Little River Gardens
Two new names, one guiding vision; to empower people through food and ecology. For more information on our garden installation services visit the Little River Gardens website.