Wildflower series - Lobster flowers

Plectranthus neochilus is indigenous to South Africa although it is not naturally found in this part of the country so it is likely to be an escapee from somebody's garden. This plant is native to the warmer, Eastern parts of the country. It is a succulent so it thrives in the dry conditions but it isn't frost resistant, as local plants are. That's probably a good thing, as it prevents it from becoming too invasive. Although the frost kills most of it off in winter, it rebounds with a vengeance in summer.

It belongs to the mint family although the leaves have a sage-like smell. Local people often grow this plant around their homes in the belief that the smell repels snakes. I'm not so sure about that but since Africa has many highly venomous snakes, people will try anything to make themselves feel less worried about what may slither inside. I have found 2 different kinds of snakes in and around my house in the last 2 years but neither of them were venomous types. My cats seem to be the main culprits when it comes to finding snakes and scorpions inside the house. They always alert me to the fact that they are there, but I'm never sure whether they aren't the ones who brought them inside in the first place.