Coleus

Name: Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides).

Height: Up to 1m tall with a spread of about 60cm.

Foliage: Oval, bright coloured, velvety and soft.

Climate: Tropical to sub-tropical.

Soil: Loamy, well-drained soil or premium potting mix.

Position: Dappled shade—leaves will burn if placed in full sun; will tolerate full shade.

Flowering: Spikes of small blue flowers typical of plectranthus; not a major feature.

Feeding: Controlled-release fertilizer at planting, topped up with liquid feeds.

Watering: Keep soil or potting mix moist but not wet; good drainage preferred.

 

Characteristics of Coleus

Coleus is a perennial plant but is more often grown as an annual. It requires regular pinching out of the growth tips to keep it compact, as it is inclined to become “leggy”. Plants are generally around 80cm to 1m tall, and multi-branched.

There are many different varieties of coleus, each with its own pattern of colours and variegation. Some are symmetrical, while others are more random. The velvety texture of the leaves gives them a depth and glow that is quite stunning. Planted en masse, coleus create a magic carpet of colour.

Different varieties have patterns in shades of lime green, fluoro pink, crimson, burnt orange, brown, purple and yellow. The original coleus occurs naturally in South-East Asia, but it's now grown and admired worldwide. The colours in the leaves are caused by various pigments occurring naturally in the plant.

Coleus flowers are not the main attraction, and often the stems are removed before flowers open so they don’t detract from the foliage display. The flower spikes grow above the leaves and carry large numbers of small, usually blue flowers.

Coleus grown in pots can be “groomed” by regular pinching back of shoots to grow into compact, full plants where the leaves completely cover the branches.

How to plant and grow coleus

Coleus enjoys warm conditions—it will not do well in cold climates, or during winter in cool temperate to temperate regions where night temperatures can be very low. They are grown as outdoor plants in warm temperate to tropical areas, and glasshouse plants elsewhere.

Caring for coleus

Coleus does not tolerate dryness, so when the weather is hot and rainfall is scarce, water your plant regularly to keep the soil moist. Make sure excess water drains freely, otherwise plants may develop root rot.

For a coleus in a pot, keep the potting mix moist, but not wet, and allow excess water to drain away freely—don’t leave the pot standing in a saucer of water for more than 30 minutes.