About
Coleus argentatus 'Silver Shield' is a perennial sub-shrub that remains evergreen, reaching heights of up to 60 cm. It is primarily valued for its soft, silver leaves. During the summer months, it produces slender purple flower spikes that are adorned with small, white flowers tinged with blue.
About the genus
This genus consists of annual or perennial herbs and shrubs, with some species exhibiting succulent or tuberous characteristics. They are among the simplest plants to propagate. The soft-textured foliage contributes rich colors, including red, pink, green, and purple, enhancing garden beds, borders, and container arrangements.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bedding, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Under glass grow in peat-free potting compost in filtered light. Water freely in growth and apply a high-nitrogen every 2 weeks. Outdoors, plant out after the last frosts into humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. Pinch out young shoots and emerging flower spikes and to keep plants compact
- Pruning
- Pinch out growing tips to promote bushiness
- Propagation
- Propagate by cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects, glasshouse whitefly and slugs
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free