Bloom Download App
Scaredy Cat Plant
🏠 Indoor

Lamiaceae

Scaredy Cat Plant: Aromatic Plant

Coleus caninus

Easy ☀ïļ Bright indirect ⚠ïļ Toxic to pets

Easy to grow. Give it full sun to part shade, well-draining soil, and moderate, even moisture. Established plants tolerate short dry spells but dislike being waterlogged. Pinch back leggy stems to keep growth compact (wear gloves, since pruning releases the plant's pungent smell).

💧 Watering

Every 7 days

☀ïļ Light

Bright indirect

ðŸŒĄïļ Temperature

13° - 35°C

ðŸ’Ļ Humidity

% - %

Categories

What is Scaredy Cat Plant?

Scaredy Cat Plant (Coleus caninus) is a easy-care plant from the Lamiaceae family. Coleus caninus (syn. Plectranthus caninus) is an aromatic tender perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae), native to southern and eastern Africa. Its grey-green, scallop-edged leaves release a strong, skunk-like odor when brushed or bruised, a trait that has earned it the nicknames "scaredy cat plan...

Scaredy Cat Plant grows up to spread of 60cm, watering every 7 days, 13°C – 35°C. It is suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.

Unlike many tropical plants, Scaredy Cat Plant tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 14 days.

How to Care for Scaredy Cat Plant?

TLDR: Scaredy Cat Plant needs Bright indirect, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between 13-35°C with 40-70% humidity.

💧

How Often Should You Water Scaredy Cat Plant?

Water when the top inch of soil dries out, roughly once a week; avoid soggy soil as it is prone to root rot.

☀ïļ

How Much Light Does Scaredy Cat Plant Need?

Thrives in full sun to partial shade; too much shade causes leggy growth and weaker scent.

ðŸŠī

What Is the Best Soil for Scaredy Cat Plant?

Use a well-draining, moderately fertile potting mix; avoid heavy, waterlogged soils.

Care Schedule

ðŸŒą

Fertilize

Every 14 days

ðŸ’Ķ

Misting

Every 3 days

🔄

Rotate

Every 7 days

ðŸŠī

Repot

Every 365 days

What Is Scaredy Cat Plant and Where Does It Come From?

Coleus caninus (syn. Plectranthus caninus) is an aromatic tender perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae), native to southern and eastern Africa. Its grey-green, scallop-edged leaves release a strong, skunk-like odor when brushed or bruised, a trait that has earned it the nicknames "scaredy cat plant" and "piss-off plant" for its reputed (though scientifically unproven) ability to deter cats, dogs and other animals from garden beds. Small spikes of pale blue-violet flowers appear from summer into fall.

How Big Does Scaredy Cat Plant Grow?

TLDR: Scaredy Cat Plant can reach up to ?cm tall with Fast growth rate.

↔ïļ

Spread

60cm

📈

Growth rate

Fast

🍃

Foliage

Evergreen

⚠ïļ

Warning: Toxic Plant

This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:

ðŸą Cats ðŸķ Dogs

Plant Uses

🌚

Ornamental

Great for decoration

👃

Aromatic

Pleasant fragrance

Is your plant showing symptoms?

Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:

What Diseases Commonly Affect Scaredy Cat Plant?

TLDR: Scaredy Cat Plant is susceptible to 6 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.

Root Rot

High

Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.

View solution

Downy Mildew

High

Downy mildew is a fungal-like disease caused by oomycetes (water molds) that thrives in cool, wet conditions. It affects a wide range of plants, causing yellowing leaves with fuzzy white-gray growth underneath, leading to defoliation and reduced yields if left untreated.

View solution

Aphids

Medium

Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.

View solution

Mealybugs

High

Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.

View solution

Compare with similar plants

Attribute Difficulty Light Watering Pet Safe
Field Maple Easy Bright indirect 14d ✓
Silver Birch Easy Direct sun 14d ✓
Common Blanketflower Easy Direct sun 10d ✓
Cushion Bush Easy Direct sun 14d ✓

Choose & Compare

vs

Sources & References

Related plants