Blue Spur Flower/ Toilet Paper Plant (cuttings)

Blue Spur Flower — Florida's Most Useful (and Storied) Garden Plant

Fresh-cut cuttings of Blue Spur Flower (Plectranthus barbatus), organically grown in Florida and ready to root. This fast-growing, easy-to-propagate relative of mint has been valued for centuries — not just for its beauty, but for its remarkable practical and medicinal uses. Early settlers famously planted it around outhouses, where its broad, soft, fragrant leaves served double duty: masking odors and providing nature's own soft, natural material. That's how it earned its cheeky nickname, the Toilet Paper Plant.

Why Grow Blue Spur Flower?

• Stunning flowers: Tall, elegant spikes of delicate purple blooms that resemble ballerina slippers — a showstopper in any garden bed or container.
• Aromatic foliage: Broad, soft, and fuzzy leaves with a pleasant, distinctive aroma that naturally deters some pests.
• Medicinal tradition: When dried, the leaves are known as Boldo and have long been used in traditional herbal medicine to brew a soothing tea. Boldo tea is traditionally used to support digestion, liver health, and relaxation.
• Fast-growing: A vigorous grower that fills in quickly, making it ideal for borders, hedges, or as a lush ground cover.
• Easy to propagate: Like its mint relatives, Blue Spur Flower roots readily from cuttings — once you have one plant, you can easily multiply it throughout your garden.
• Pollinator-friendly: The tall flower spikes attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

⚠️ Medicinal Disclaimer: Boldo tea and herbal preparations from this plant have a long history of traditional use, but consult a qualified healthcare provider before using medicinally, especially if pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

How to Root Your Cutting

1. Prepare your cutting: Remove leaves from the lower half of the stem, leaving 2–3 leaves at the top.
2. Optional rooting hormone: Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder or gel to speed up root development.
3. Plant it: Insert 2–3 inches deep into moist potting mix or perlite. A shaded or partly shaded spot works best while rooting.
4. Keep it moist: Water regularly and maintain consistent moisture. A humidity dome or plastic bag tent helps retain humidity during rooting.
5. Watch for roots: In Florida's warm climate, roots typically develop within 1–3 weeks. New leaf growth is your signal that rooting has succeeded.
6. Transplant: Move to a sunny or partly shaded garden bed or large container once well-rooted.

Growing Tips for Florida Gardeners

• Sun: Partial shade to full sun. Leaves stay lusher with some afternoon shade in Florida's intense summer heat.
• Water: Moderate moisture — keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Established plants are reasonably drought-tolerant.
• Soil: Adaptable to most Florida soils. Amend with compost for best growth.
• Fertilizer: A light balanced organic fertilizer in spring and mid-summer encourages lush foliage and prolific blooms.
• Pruning: Trim regularly to keep the plant bushy and encourage new growth. Those trimmings? Root them and grow more plants!
• Pests: The aromatic foliage naturally deters many common pests. Generally low-maintenance and resilient in Florida's climate.

Making Boldo Tea

Harvest mature leaves and dry them in a shaded, well-ventilated spot for 1–2 weeks. Once dried, steep 1–2 dried leaves in hot water for 5–10 minutes. The tea has an earthy, slightly bitter, herbal flavor. Traditionally enjoyed after meals to support digestion. Sweeten with honey if desired.

Organically grown in Florida 🌿 | Ships as fresh-cut cuttings ready to root