Coleus

( KOE - lee - us )

At-A-Glance Information

Coleus is a genus of perennial and annual herbs or subshrubs native to the tropics and subtropics of Europe, Asia and Africa. Common names for these plants include Spurflower, Flybush, Hedgehog Flower, and Hullwort. They are cultivated as ornamentals for their colorful foliage, and in some cases as crop plants for their edible tuber roots and foliage. Use Coleus plants to fill in mixed beds and borders, in containers on patios or walkways, or as color accents. They can also be grown as indoor plants. Take care when planting Coleus in the garden or keeping them indoors, as plant parts are toxic to dogs and cats. Contact with foliage and/or sap can also cause a minor skin rash in sensitive individuals.

Coleus Species and Varietals

There are 212 species of Coleus, which is a member of the plant family Lamiaceae. The best growing zones for these plants vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Coleus amboinicus (Plectranthus amboinicus) (Indian Borage, Country Borage, French Thyme, Indian Mint, Mexican Mint, Cuban Oregano, Broad Leaf Thyme, Soup Mint, Spanish Thyme)
These plants are native to Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and India, and are widely cultivated and have naturalized around the globe. It is grown as a culinary spice as well as an ornamental plant. Foliage has a pungent oregano-like flavor and odor. Individual plants reach up to 3.3 feet tall and have fleshy stems and green, soft foliage. Flowers bloom on a short stem and are pale purple-blue. Cultivar 'Variegatus', or Variegated Cuban Oregano, has leaves roughly edged in white. This species is considered invasive in several subtropical and tropical areas, including the Pacific Islands and Virgin Islands.

Coleus argentatus (Plectranthus argentatus) (Silver Spurflower, Silver Plectranthus, Silver Shield, Silver Crest)
This species is native to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, where it likes to grow on rock outcrops and rainforest borders. Plants reach up to 3 feet tall and produce light grey-green foliage and blue-white flowers on spikes.

Coleus australis (Plectranthus parviflorus) (Little Spurflower, Cockspur Flower, Swedish Ivy, Native Coleus)
Native to Australia, Hawaii and Polynesia, these small shrubs are not aromatic and produce green leaves with scalloped edges. They typically grow in moist forests, rocky areas, and along streambeds. Flowers are blue and white, and flower throughout the year in the plant's native range. These plants can be invasive in Hawaii and New Zealand.

Coleus barbatus (Plectranthus barbatus) (Wooly Plectranthus, Boldo Brasileiro, Boldo Gaucho, Tapete-de-Oxala, Doliprane)
This species is native to tropical Africa and Southeast Asia, and forms a semi-succulent subshrub to 5 feet tall and just as wide. Flowers grow on upright racemes, and are purple blue. Wooly Plectranthus is considered invasive in South Africa.

Coleus caninus (Plectranthus caninus) (Scaredy Cat Plant, Dogbane, Painted Nettle, Dog's Gone, Pee-Off Plant, Shoo Plant)
Leaves and flowers of these plants are aromatic (similar to the fragrance of Eucalyptus foliage), and are sticky to the touch. Animals typically avoid these plants due to their smell. These plants will root easily from cuttings, and are tolerant of mild drought conditions as well as full sun exposure.

Coleus comosus (Plectranthus ornatus, Coleus canina) (Scaredy Cat Plant, Cosmic Lobster, Abyssinian Coleus)
This species is native to tropical areas of Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, and is rumored to scare away cats and dogs, who do not like its scent. It forms a semi-succulent subshrub that reaches between 1 and 5 feet tall at maturity. Flowers are purple and bloom on spikes above foliage. These plants are invasive in South Africa.

Coleus esculentus (Plectranthus esculentus) (Livingstone Potato, African Potato, Finger Potato, Wild Potato)
Native to tropical Africa, these plants are cultivated for their edible tubers and can reach up to 6.5 feet tall when mature. Foliage is green with toothed margins, and flowers are yellow. The rootstock is often used as a substitute for a potato or sweet potato. The roots are typically ready for harvesting between 180 and 200 days after planting.

Coleus madagascariensis (Plectranthus madagascariensis) (Thicket Coleus, Madagascar Coleus, Candle Plant, False Insence, Thicket Spurflower, Mint Leaf Swedish Ivy, Ruigtemuishondblaar, Iboza Lehlathi)
This species is native to southern and southeastern Africa, and forms a fragrant, semi-succulent sprawling shrub that reaches about 3 feet tall at maturity. Stems will root where they touch ground. Leaves are green and hairy and have rounded teeth. When crushed, they release am oregano-like scent. 'Lynne' (pictured) is a cultivar with variegated leaves.

Coleus neochilus (Plectranthus neochilus) (Lobster Bush, Fly Bush, Mosquito Bush, Smelly Fur Flower, Poor Man's Lavender)
This perennial groundcover species of Coleus is native to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia. Leaves are succulent and grey-green. These plants grow quickly, and have an aroma that is similar to that of Cannabis. Blooms are produced twice a year, in late summer and late winter in their native range.

Coleus rotundifolius (Plectranthus rotundifolius, Solenostemon rotundifolius) (Native Potato, Country Potato, Chinese Potato, Hausa Potato, Sudan Potato)
Native to tropical Africa, these plants are cultivated for their edible tubers as well as their ornamental value. Leaves are light green, and flowers are purple. Individual plants typically reach up to 3 feet tall. These plants are considered invasive in Cuba.

Coleus scutellarioides (Coleus blumei, Plectranthus scutellarioides, Solenostemon scutellarioides) (Coleus, Painted Nettle, Flame Nettle)
Native to southeast Asia through to Australia, these plants are shrubby and form woody bases, commonly cultivated for their foliage, which is variegated in many cultivated varieties. They have an upright habit (though some cultivars have trailing stems) and can be grown as annuals or perennials, depending on the climate. These plants are considered to be invasive in Cuba, Hawaii, Guam, Tonga, and Puerto Rico.

'Alabama Sunset'

'Black Prince'

'Buttercream'

'Camillia' ('Camille')

'Campfire'

'Carnival'

'China Rose'

'Combat'

'Coral Sunrise'

'Crimson Ruffles'

'Dark Heart'

'Dark Star'

'Defiance'

'Dipt in Wine'

'Dragon's Claw'

'El Brighto'

'Fancy Feathers'

'Florida Sun'

'Fright Night'

'Gay's Delight'

'Henna'

'Indian Summer'

'Juliet Quartermain'

'Lord Falmouth'

'Mint Mocha'

'Pinata'

'Pineapple Beauty'

'Pineapple Splash'

'Pineapplette'

'Pink Chaos'

'Redhead'

'Royal Glissade'

'Roy Pedley'

'Royal Scot'

'Sibila'

'Solar Eclipse'

'Solar Flare'

'Velvet Mocha'

'Sunset'

'Tell Tale Heart'

'Trailing Rose'

'Trusty Rusty'

'Versa Crimson Gold'

'Versa Lime'

'Walter Turner'

'Watermelon'

'Wasabi'

'Wicked Witch'

'Winsome'

'Wisley Tapestry'

Caring for Coleus

Plant Coleus in a space in the landscape that receives partial to full shade; ideally, they appreciate morning sun and afternoon shade. When these flowers are grown in less light, they will not flower as profusely. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. The more sun Coleus plants receive, the more water they will need.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Coleus plants are short-lived perennials, lasting for a few years before becoming woody and needing to be replaced.

Caring for Coleus in Containers
Coleus plants do well in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened, though mature plants do appreciate consistently moist soils for best performance. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. After a few years when plants become woody, they can be replaced.

Caring for Coleus Indoors
Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite. Place the Coleus in a space that receives bright, indirect light. Water to keep soil evenly moist, but take care to not overwater. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Pinch back growing tips of young plants to encourage a bushier habit to form. Prune back leggy growth as it emerges throughout the growing season, and remove any dead, damaged or diseased foliage to keep plants healthy and attractive.

Propagation

Coleus plants can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Coleus plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Coleus by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 4-6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch (it should have at least two sets of leaves) and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new Honeywort plant.

Propagating Coleus by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Coleus seeds are small, held on upright spikes after flowers have faded.

Coleus seeds are small, dark brown to black, and round.

Problems and Pests

Certain species of Coleus are considered invasive in some areas of the world; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Coleus plants can have issues with the following pests and diseases: