Plant That Looks Like Lavender But Smells Like Weed

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever been strolling through a garden, admiring a beautiful plant with delicate purple flowers and silvery-green foliage, only to lean in for a sniff and be utterly surprised? Perhaps you thought, “Wait, is that lavender… but why does it smell so, well, distinctive?” You’re not alone! Many gardeners have encountered the intriguing phenomenon of a plant that looks like lavender but smells like weed, and it often leads to a mix of curiosity and confusion.

It’s a common gardening puzzle, and one we’re here to solve today at Greeny Gardener. We’ve all been there, wondering if our senses are playing tricks on us, or if there’s a unique botanical explanation. Don’t worry—these flowers are perfect for beginners!

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll unmask this fascinating plant, delve into its unique characteristics, and show you exactly how to grow and care for it. Get ready to transform your garden with this surprisingly versatile and low-maintenance specimen!

Unmasking the Mystery: The Plant That Looks Like Lavender But Smells Like Weed

The star of our show, the plant that often leaves gardeners scratching their heads, is none other than Plectranthus caninus. This intriguing specimen goes by several common names, most notably “Scaredy Cat Plant,” “Dog Gone It Plant,” or simply “Coleus canina.” It’s a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), which explains its aromatic nature, though its scent profile is certainly a conversation starter!

Despite its somewhat notorious odor, this plant is a fantastic addition to many gardens. Its visual resemblance to lavender is striking, with similar growth habits and flower spikes.

Meet the Star: Plectranthus caninus (The Scaredy Cat Plant)

Plectranthus caninus is a charming, somewhat sprawling perennial, often grown as an annual in colder climates. It typically reaches about 1-2 feet in height and spreads just as wide, forming a lovely bushy mound. Its leaves are typically a soft, velvety green, sometimes with a silvery cast, and its small, delicate purple-blue flowers appear on upright spikes, much like a true lavender plant.

The foliage is the real mimic here, often leading to misidentification from a distance. Up close, however, the unique scent is unmistakable and truly sets it apart.

Why the Peculiar Scent? A Natural Defense Mechanism

So, why does a plant that looks so innocent possess such an unusual aroma? It all comes down to its evolutionary biology. The strong, pungent smell—which many describe as reminiscent of cannabis or, less charitably, a skunk—is actually a powerful natural defense mechanism.

The plant produces volatile organic compounds, particularly terpenes, that are released when its leaves are brushed or bruised. These compounds are highly effective at deterring common garden pests like deer, rabbits, and even neighborhood cats from munching on its foliage or using garden beds as litter boxes. It’s a clever trick from Mother Nature!

Beyond the Scent: Understanding Plectranthus caninus

While its unique aroma is certainly its most famous trait, there’s much more to appreciate about the Scaredy Cat Plant. Understanding its general characteristics will help you integrate it successfully into your garden design.

A Visual Twin: Appearance and Growth Habits

As we’ve touched upon, the visual similarities between Plectranthus caninus and lavender are quite remarkable. Both plants feature slender, often hairy, grey-green to silvery leaves. They both produce spikes of small, tubular flowers in shades of purple or blue, creating a soft, textural effect in the landscape.

Plectranthus caninus typically grows in a mounding, somewhat sprawling habit, making it an excellent choice for ground cover, border edging, or container planting. Its growth is relatively vigorous, especially in ideal conditions, and it can fill out a space quite quickly.

Not Just a Pretty Face: Its Practical Uses

Beyond its ornamental appeal and intriguing scent, the Scaredy Cat Plant offers genuine practical benefits for the home gardener. Its primary use is, of course, as a natural animal deterrent.

If you’ve struggled with deer nibbling your prize hostas, rabbits feasting on your vegetable patch, or cats digging up your newly planted seedlings, strategically placing Plectranthus caninus can offer a non-toxic, chemical-free solution. It’s an eco-friendly way to protect your garden investments without harming wildlife.

Growing Your Own “Scaredy Cat” Plant: A Gardener’s Guide

Ready to add this fascinating plant to your collection? Good news: Plectranthus caninus is wonderfully low-maintenance and forgiving, making it an excellent choice for gardeners of all experience levels. Let’s get started!

Choosing the Right Spot: Sun, Soil, and Climate

Success with your Scaredy Cat Plant begins with selecting the perfect location in your garden.

  • Sunlight: This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, a little afternoon shade can prevent leaf scorch and keep the plant looking its best. Aim for at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
  • Soil: Well-draining soil is crucial. Like many members of the mint family, it dislikes “wet feet.” A sandy loam or a good quality potting mix amended with perlite or coarse sand works beautifully. It can tolerate a range of soil pH, from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
  • Climate: Plectranthus caninus is generally hardy in USDA Zones 9-11 as a perennial. In colder zones, it’s typically grown as an annual or brought indoors for the winter. Don’t worry if your winters are chilly; it’s easy to propagate from cuttings!
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Planting Essentials: From Seed to Container

Whether you’re starting with small plants from a nursery or propagating your own, the planting process is straightforward.

  1. Preparation: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Amend heavy clay soils with compost and grit to improve drainage.
  2. Planting: Gently remove the plant from its container, loosen any circling roots, and place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
  3. Backfill: Fill the hole with amended soil, gently firming it around the base of the plant to remove air pockets.
  4. Watering: Water thoroughly immediately after planting to help settle the soil.
  5. Spacing: If planting multiple, give them about 18-24 inches of space to allow for their sprawling growth habit. For a denser border, you can plant them closer.

For container gardening, choose a pot with good drainage holes and use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix. The Scaredy Cat Plant looks fantastic in mixed containers, offering unique texture and scent.

Watering Wisdom: Keeping It Hydrated

This plant is quite forgiving when it comes to water, showing good drought tolerance once established. However, consistent moisture is key for vigorous growth and abundant flowering.

  • Initial Care: Water regularly during its first growing season to help it establish a strong root system.
  • Established Plants: Once established, allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. Stick your finger into the soil to check moisture levels.
  • Signs of Thirst: Drooping or wilting leaves are a clear sign it needs water. It usually bounces back quickly after a good drink.
  • Overwatering Warning: Be more concerned about overwatering than underwatering, as consistently soggy soil can lead to root rot.

Feeding for Flourish: Fertilization Tips

Plectranthus caninus is not a heavy feeder, which is great news for busy gardeners! In rich, well-amended soil, it may not need any supplemental fertilizer.

If your soil is poor or you notice slow growth or pale foliage, you can apply a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength once or twice during the growing season. For container-grown plants, a slow-release granular fertilizer applied in spring can provide sustained nutrients.

Pruning for Perfection: Shaping and Maintenance

Pruning is essential for maintaining a tidy shape and encouraging bushier growth and more flowers. Don’t be shy!

  • Pinching Back: Early in the season, pinch back the growing tips to encourage branching. This will result in a fuller, more compact plant.
  • Deadheading: While not strictly necessary for continuous blooming, removing spent flower spikes (deadheading) can improve the plant’s appearance and direct energy towards foliage growth.
  • Shaping: Throughout the season, feel free to trim any leggy or unruly stems to maintain your desired shape.
  • Propagation: The cuttings you take during pruning can easily be rooted in water or moist soil, allowing you to create more plants for free!

Common Challenges and Troubleshooting

While generally robust, no plant is entirely without its quirks. Here are a few common issues you might encounter and how to address them.

Pests and Diseases: Generally Resistant

One of the beauties of the Scaredy Cat Plant is its natural resistance to many common garden pests. The very compounds that give it its distinctive smell also act as a deterrent to insects.

However, no plant is completely immune. Occasionally, you might spot aphids or whiteflies, especially on stressed plants. A strong spray of water or an application of insecticidal soap usually takes care of these minor infestations. Fungal issues like powdery mildew are rare but can occur in very humid, poorly ventilated conditions.

Scent Strength and Factors

The intensity of the “weed-like” smell can vary. Several factors influence how strongly your plant that looks like lavender but smells like weed will emit its odor:

  • Proximity: The scent is strongest when you’re close to the plant or when its leaves are disturbed.
  • Environment: Humidity levels can affect scent dispersal.
  • Plant Age and Health: Younger, vigorously growing plants might have a stronger aroma than older, less healthy ones.
  • Stress: Some gardeners report the scent becomes more pronounced when the plant is under a little stress, like being slightly dry.

If you’re using it as a deterrent, remember that animals typically have a much stronger sense of smell than humans, so even a subtle scent to us can be very potent to them.

Overcoming Overgrowth

In ideal conditions, Plectranthus caninus can grow quite vigorously and may start to look a bit unruly or take over its neighbors. This is easily managed with regular pruning, as mentioned above.

Don’t hesitate to cut it back hard if it gets too large. It responds well to pruning and will often send out new, fresh growth. You can even divide larger, established clumps every few years to rejuvenate the plant and create more specimens.

Creative Ways to Use Plectranthus caninus in Your Garden

Now that you’re a pro at growing this unique specimen, let’s explore some fantastic ways to incorporate it into your garden design.

Natural Pest Deterrent: A Friend to Your Fences

This is where the “Scaredy Cat” plant truly shines. Strategically plant it along garden borders, near vulnerable vegetable patches, or around the base of plants commonly targeted by deer and rabbits. Placing it around children’s sandpits can also help deter neighborhood cats.

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Remember, the scent is released when the leaves are brushed, so planting it where animals are likely to brush against it will maximize its deterrent effect. Consider it a fragrant, invisible fence for your garden!

Companion Planting: What to Pair It With

Despite its strong scent, Plectranthus caninus can be an excellent companion plant. Its mounding habit and lavender-like flowers complement a variety of garden styles.

  • Rose Gardens: Plant it around the base of roses to help deter deer and rabbits from nibbling tender shoots.
  • Vegetable Patches: Create a border around your veggie beds to protect your edibles.
  • Perennial Borders: Its soft purple flowers blend beautifully with other perennials, adding texture and a unique talking point.
  • Herb Gardens: While not a culinary herb itself, it can protect other herbs from unwanted visitors.

Container Displays and Edging

The Scaredy Cat Plant is a fantastic choice for containers, hanging baskets, and as a low-growing edging plant. Its mounding form spills gracefully over edges, and its unique foliage provides excellent contrast.

In mixed containers, pair it with plants that appreciate similar growing conditions (full sun, well-draining soil) but offer contrasting colors or forms. Think bright annuals like petunias or calibrachoa, or even other textured foliage plants.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plectranthus caninus

Is Plectranthus caninus safe for pets?

While the “Scaredy Cat Plant” is often marketed as a deterrent for cats and dogs, it’s generally considered non-toxic to these animals. The strong scent is usually enough to make them avoid it without causing harm if ingested in small amounts. However, as with any plant, excessive consumption could potentially cause mild stomach upset. If you have a particularly curious pet, always monitor their interaction with new plants.

How strong is the “weed-like” smell?

The strength of the smell is quite subjective and varies. Most people describe it as a strong, skunky, or cannabis-like odor. It’s most noticeable when the leaves are brushed, crushed, or when you’re very close to the plant. From a distance, it’s usually not overpowering, but a gentle breeze can sometimes carry a whiff. Many gardeners find the scent intriguing rather than offensive, especially given its practical benefits.

Can I grow it indoors?

Yes, you can absolutely grow Plectranthus caninus indoors! It makes an interesting houseplant, especially in colder climates where it can’t survive the winter outdoors. Provide it with a bright, sunny window (south-facing is ideal) and ensure well-draining soil. Be mindful that the scent will be more contained indoors, so place it in a well-ventilated area if you’re sensitive to strong smells. You might need to mist it occasionally to increase humidity, especially in dry indoor environments.

What’s the best time to plant it?

The best time to plant Plectranthus caninus is in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. This gives the plant ample time to establish its root system before the heat of summer or the chill of autumn. If you’re growing it as an annual, you can plant it anytime during the warm growing season.

Does it attract beneficial insects?

While its primary role is often as a deterrent to unwanted pests, the small purple flowers of Plectranthus caninus can attract some beneficial pollinators, such as small bees and hoverflies, especially when in bloom. It’s not a primary pollinator plant like coneflowers or salvias, but it does contribute to overall garden biodiversity.

Conclusion: Embrace the Unconventional in Your Garden!

So there you have it – the mystery of the plant that looks like lavender but smells like weed is solved! Plectranthus caninus, the Scaredy Cat Plant, is a truly unique and valuable addition to any garden. With its beautiful lavender-like appearance, easy-care nature, and remarkable pest-deterring abilities, it offers so much more than just an unusual aroma.

Don’t let its peculiar scent deter you. Instead, embrace its individuality and harness its natural power to protect your beloved plants from unwelcome visitors. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, adding this fascinating specimen will undoubtedly spark conversation and bring a new dimension to your outdoor space.

Go forth, plant with confidence, and enjoy the surprising benefits of this wonderfully unconventional garden gem!

Rimon Chowdhury
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