Overview
Coleus comosus is a bushy bedding in the genus Coleus, part of the Lamiaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Coleus comosus grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1c. Suggested uses include patio and container plants. It is native to Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
About
Coleus comosus is an evergreen member of the mint family cultivated for patio and conservatory use, flowering from June to October. Native to eastern Africa, it forms a well-branched, rounded plant suited to container culture. It accepts a wide range of soils — chalk, clay, loam or sand — provided they stay moist but well drained. Position it in full sun or partial shade on a sheltered south- or east-facing aspect.
About the genus
Coleus is a genus of annual or perennial herbs or shrubs, sometimes succulent, sometimes with a fleshy or tuberous rootstock, found in the Afro-Eurasia tropics and subtropics.
Wikipedia contributors, "Coleus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Coleus
In the garden
Coleus comosus belongs to the Lamiaceae and originates from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. In the UK it is most commonly kept as a bedding or conservatory greenhouse plant, valued for its evergreen foliage and seasonal flowers between June and October. Plant where it receives full sun or partial shade and where exposure is sheltered; south- or east-facing sites suit it best. It adapts to chalk, clay, loam or sand soils but requires those soils to remain moist yet well drained. Treat it as tender (UK hardiness H1c): keep it frost-free through winter indoors or under glass, or grow in pots that can be moved to a protected spot. Use Coleus comosus on patios and in containers where its well-branched habit fills a pot without needing permanent ground planting. A conservatory or greenhouse allows it to be displayed year-round under frost-free conditions, while a sheltered east- or south-facing patio is ideal for the warmer months.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Coleus
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1c
Plant details
Coleus comosus size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Bedding, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants
- Native to
- Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Coleus comosus
- Propagation
- Seed, Softwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Mealybugs, Scale insects, Glasshouse whitefly
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Coleus comosus?
Coleus comosus prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Coleus comosus need?
Coleus comosus is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Coleus comosus hardy in the UK?
Coleus comosus has an RHS hardiness rating of H1c, meaning it needs a warm, frost-free position of 5–10°C and is best grown under glass in the UK.
How do I propagate Coleus comosus?
Seed, Softwood cuttings.