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Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides)

Coleus scutellarioides is an upright to clump-forming herb with often four-angled stems and can develop a shrubby form. It is a perennial or short-lived perennial herb and is also grown as an annual in some cultivation settings.

LightSources differ on light conditions: it can be grown from full sun to partial shade, and bright conditions favor leaf color, while strong full sun may cause wilting and excessive shade may cause elongated growth and reduc
WaterKeep the soil moist but well drained during active growth; RHS recommends ample watering during the growing period.
TemperatureA single source reports an ideal temperature range of about 15–30 °C, so sources are few.
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Coleus illustration

Overview

Coleus scutellarioides is an upright to clump-forming herb with often four-angled stems and can develop a shrubby form. It is a perennial or short-lived perennial herb and is also grown as an annual in some cultivation settings.

Origin and habitat

Sources differ in describing its native range, placing it broadly from tropical and subtropical Asia to northern Australia, or from Southeast Asia through the Malay Archipelago to Australia. Its native distribution is primarily in tropical and subtropical regions.

Characteristics

Sources differ on mature height, giving a range of about 30–100 cm. Mature spread is 10–91 cm. The opposite leaves are usually ovate to heart-shaped, with margins ranging from rounded-toothed to deeply lobed and surfaces that may be hairy; cultivated forms have highly variable colors and patterns including green, white, cream, yellow, pink, red, maroon, and deep purple. Sources differ in their descriptions of the flowers: they are borne in terminal spikes or branched inflorescences, are two-lipped, and may be blue, purple, pink, white, or rose-purple; flowering is reported from summer to autumn, and the fruits are small nutlets that mature from brown to black.

Light

Sources differ on light conditions: it can be grown from full sun to partial shade, and bright conditions favor leaf color, while strong full sun may cause wilting and excessive shade may cause elongated growth and reduce colorful foliage.

Watering

Keep the soil moist but well drained during active growth; RHS recommends ample watering during the growing period.

Temperature and dormancy

A single source reports an ideal temperature range of about 15–30 °C, so sources are few.

Growing medium and mounting

Moist, fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil is preferred; cultivation is recorded in clay, loam, sand, and chalk, under acidic, neutral, or alkaline conditions.

Feeding

For greenhouse cultivation, a single source reports that a high-nitrogen fertilizer can be applied regularly during the growing period.

Propagation

Coleus scutellarioides can be propagated by seed or cuttings, and cuttings root readily in water or clean growing medium. Seeds can be sown in spring and are reported to germinate readily.

Common problems

Potential pests include aphids, whiteflies, two-spotted spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. RHS generally reports no significant disease problems. Full sun may cause wilting, while excessive shade may lead to elongated growth, and insufficient light may cause colorful leaf patterns to turn green. It does not tolerate frost or cold, is a cold-sensitive perennial, and grows poorly during low winter temperatures.

Identification

Coleus scutellarioides is distinguished ornamentally by its highly varied leaf colors and patterns, with opposite leaves on square or four-angled stems and margins that are often rounded-toothed or lobed.

Photos

Coleus scutellarioides
📷 no rights reserved, uploaded by Murielle Desrois · CC0 · source

Sources