Plectranthus species are universally recognized in frost-free temperate and subtropical climates as excellent shade plants. They are also often used as house plants, and will often flourish where many plants struggle for lack of sunlight. Amongst the best known of the Plectranthus species is P. fruticosus.    Various flower colour forms are known, ranging from blue through mauve to pink. This particular cultivar, P. fruticosus 'Liana', is distinct in that its flower colour is a dark blue-mauve, and in that it tends to have its flowering peak a few weeks later than the other cultivated forms of this species. P fruticosus ''James' is another form often cultivated.

This cultivar is also distinctive in its growth requirements in that it grows most vigorously when it receives a fair amount of direct sun. It will tolerate shade happily but the growth rate will be much slower and the flowers will be paler. In nature the plant will survive for about 5 years but this can be increased in cultivation through regular pruning.

Plectranthus species are among the easiest and most rewarding of all plants to cultivate and this cultivar is no exception. Cuttings can be made at any time of the year, but preferably in summer, consisting of short pieces of stem having about 3 or 4 nodes. Strip all but the uppermost leaves from the stem and trim them down to about 40 mm² each to reduce transpiration. No rooting hormone is required. During the cool winter and spring months the cuttings can be stuck directly into the ground where you want the plant ultimately to grow. This method works as long as the cuttings are watered every two days or so during the first two months. Alternatively, cuttings can be struck in any rooting medium in pots or cutting trays under the protection of a nursery structure or propagation bench with regular watering or misting.

In order to retain the superior growth characteristics and flower colour of P. fruticosus `Liana', it is recommended to propagate it only vegetatively via cuttings. Should seed form, sow them in a well-drained seedling mix and cover very lightly with a thin layer of pure sand. This can be done at any time of the year but the warmer summer months are best. Seedlings often outgrow cuttings of the same age and are often more robust in their growth habit. The seedlings should be pricked out when they are a few months old and either planted into the ground or potted up.

Plants grow quickly and if planted in spring they should achieve a reasonable size by flowering time in autumn. If planted in late summer, they may not flower in their first autumn. Once the plants have reached a reasonable size, they should be pruned back fairly heavily after flowering in late winter and fed with a good layer of compost and/or organic fertiliser. They will sprout vigorously again in early spring. They require very little other maintenance apart from fairly regular watering at least once a week. Caterpillars and snails seem to be the only real enemies.