How to Grow and Care for Vicks Plant
Discover how to successfully grow the aromatic Vicks Plant. Our guide provides simple, effective techniques to ensure your plant is lush, full, and healthy.
The Vicks plant, Plectranthus tomentosa, is a perennial herb from the mint family. Its defining feature is the strong camphor or menthol scent released from its leaves when touched. The species name tomentosa refers to the soft, fuzzy texture of its succulent-like foliage. Native to Southern Africa, this plant’s rapid, spreading growth makes it a popular choice for indoor cultivation and hanging baskets.
Vicks Plant Care Guide
Light
Vicks plant grows best in bright, indirect sunlight. A location near a window with several hours of morning sun is ideal for developing the best leaf coloration. While it tolerates some direct sun, intense afternoon sunlight can scorch its leaves. Pale foliage is an indication that the plant needs more light.
Soil
Vicks plants require a well-draining soil mix to ensure good aeration and prevent root issues. Commercially available potting mixes for cacti and succulents are suitable. You can also create your own mix by combining standard potting soil with perlite or peat moss to improve drainage. Ensure any container used has adequate drainage holes.
Water
Follow a “soak and dry” watering approach. Water the plant thoroughly, letting the excess drain away, then wait until the top inch of soil is dry before watering again. Overwatering is a common problem that leads to root rot. During the spring and summer growing seasons, you may need to water about once a week, but reduce frequency in the winter as growth slows.
Temperature & Humidity
Vicks plants thrive in warm environments between 60-75°F (15-24°C) and are best suited for USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11. They are not frost-tolerant and should be protected from cold drafts. To increase humidity, you can mist the leaves or place the pot on a tray of water and pebbles, ensuring the pot does not sit directly in the water.
Fertilizer
During the spring and summer growing season, feed the Vicks plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer once a month according to the product’s instructions to provide nutrients for foliage development. It is not necessary to fertilize during the fall and winter.
Pruning and Propagating Vicks Plant
Pruning helps maintain the Vicks plant’s shape and encourages a denser, more compact form. This is best performed in the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. Using clean, sharp scissors, trim back overgrown stems by making cuts just above a leaf node to stimulate new branching.
The cuttings from pruning are ideal for propagation. Select healthy stem cuttings that are 4-6 inches long and remove the leaves from the lower half. You can place the cuttings in a glass of water until roots develop or plant them directly into a well-draining soil mix. Dipping the cut end in a rooting hormone is optional but can encourage faster root development. Keep the soil of new cuttings consistently moist until established.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Yellowing leaves are a common sign of overwatering. If you notice yellow foliage, allow the soil to dry out more between waterings to prevent root rot. Leggy growth, which is characterized by long stems with few leaves, indicates the plant needs more light. To fix this, move the plant to a brighter location and prune the stretched stems to encourage bushier growth.
Vicks plants can be affected by pests like mealybugs, spider mites, and whiteflies. For minor infestations, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth or use a gentle spray of water to dislodge them. For more persistent issues, apply an insecticidal soap or neem oil according to the product’s directions to control the pest population.