About
Coleus caninus is a tender evergreen perennial that grows up to 40 cm in height. It features rounded leaves with scalloped edges that are somewhat fleshy. During the summer months, it produces spikes of violet flowers. The leaves emit an unpleasant odor when touched, which is thought to deter cats.
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
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bedding, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, 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 sun or partial shade. Drought resistant once established. 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
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free