Coleus
Plectranthus scutellarioides
A popular tender perennial grown for its vibrant, multicolored foliage featuring striking patterns of green, yellow, pink, and deep purple with scalloped leaf margins.
- Light
- Bright, indirect light to partial shade, approximately 4 to 6 hours of filtered sunlight per day.
- Water
- Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist; allow the top inch of soil to dry slightly between waterings, avoiding both extreme drought and waterlogged soil.
- Growth
- An herbaceous tender perennial with an upright, bushy growth habit, reaching a mature height and spread of 1 to 3 feet.
Care instructions
Provide bright, indirect sunlight, keep the soil consistently moist but well-drained, and feed lightly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Growing details
Sunlight
Bright, indirect light to partial shade, approximately 4 to 6 hours of filtered sunlight per day.
Watering
Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist; allow the top inch of soil to dry slightly between waterings, avoiding both extreme drought and waterlogged soil.
Soil
Rich, loose, well-draining potting mix or garden loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 11; typically grown as an annual in cooler climates.
Growth habit
An herbaceous tender perennial with an upright, bushy growth habit, reaching a mature height and spread of 1 to 3 feet.
Bloom season
Produces small, insignificant spikes of blue or white tubular flowers usually in late summer, though often pinched off to encourage bushier foliage growth.
Propagation
Easily propagated through stem cuttings placed in water or moist potting mix during the spring or summer months.
Common pests & issues
Prone to aphids, mealybugs, and whiteflies; excessive moisture can lead to stem rot, while insufficient light may cause leggy growth and fading leaf colors.
Similar species
Other members of the Lamiaceae family, such as certain varieties of Salvia or Plectranthus, but distinguished primarily by the intensely colored and patterned variegated leaves of Coleus.