Swedish ivy
Plectranthus australis (Pilea: Uriticaeae; Plectranthus: Lamiaceae)
Also called Creeping Charlie.
Cats and dogs
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Not expected to poison cats or dogs. Eating any plant can still cause vomiting or an upset stomach, so keep it out of reach of chewers.
Source: ASPCA entry "Swedish Ivy", checked October 3, 2026.
Light
- Low light 3+ mol
- Medium light 6+ mol Best
- Bright indirect 10+ mol
- Direct sun 12+ mol
Does well in moderate to bright light indoors but not direct sun, which burns the leaves. Too much light makes the leaves dull and droopy, and too little stops it flowering.
Direct sun: best kept out of it.
On our scale it grows well from about 6 mol/m²/day and holds on down to roughly 1.1 (how these numbers are set).
Care
Care level: Easy. Water: Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry, and never let it sit in water.
NC State lists 'Swedish ivy' under Plectranthus parviflorus; UF uses Plectranthus australis (the ASPCA name).
More pet-safe plants for similar light
- Button fern medium light
- Nerve plant (Fittonia) medium light
- African violet bright indirect light
- Boston fern bright indirect light
- Calathea medium light
- Cape primrose (Streptocarpus) bright indirect light