Coleus
(Solenostemon scutellarioides)
Hardy to Zone 10
Bloom Time - Summer
Colors - All colors except blue (leaves)
Foliage - Ovate or oblong shaped, various patterns and colors
Size - 6" inches tall to as tall as 48" inches depending on variety
Exposure - Part shade to full shade, some new varieties can be grown in full sun
Culture - Grow in pots in beds. Soil should be rich, consistently moist and well-drained. Set out plants after danger of frost and fertilize about every 2-3 weeks with a general balance fertilizer. Young plants can be pinched back to promote bushiness. Remove flower spikes as they appear in summer as they are not showy and detract from the plant. Cuttings can be taken in late fall or the plants can be overwintered as a houseplant.
Comments - Coleus are popular annuals and every year more varieties appear, in infinite colors and patterns as well as leaf shapes. They are wonderful for pots in shady areas and newer varieties can even grow in the sun. When selecting a coleus plant at the nursery, the most important information to look for is the size of the plant. They range from 6 inches in height to 3-4 feet.
Return to Perennials and Annuals
Bloom Time - Summer
Colors - All colors except blue (leaves)
Foliage - Ovate or oblong shaped, various patterns and colors
Size - 6" inches tall to as tall as 48" inches depending on variety
Exposure - Part shade to full shade, some new varieties can be grown in full sun
Culture - Grow in pots in beds. Soil should be rich, consistently moist and well-drained. Set out plants after danger of frost and fertilize about every 2-3 weeks with a general balance fertilizer. Young plants can be pinched back to promote bushiness. Remove flower spikes as they appear in summer as they are not showy and detract from the plant. Cuttings can be taken in late fall or the plants can be overwintered as a houseplant.
Comments - Coleus are popular annuals and every year more varieties appear, in infinite colors and patterns as well as leaf shapes. They are wonderful for pots in shady areas and newer varieties can even grow in the sun. When selecting a coleus plant at the nursery, the most important information to look for is the size of the plant. They range from 6 inches in height to 3-4 feet.
Return to Perennials and Annuals