About
Coleus scutellarioides is a tender perennial that typically reaches heights of up to 60 cm. It features semi-succulent, square stems and ovate leaves with a serrated edge. This species displays some natural leaf variegation, and a wide array of colorful cultivars has been bred from it. Small blue flowers appear on an upright, branching spike that can grow to 20 cm.
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
- 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
- Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
- Native to
- Malaysia and SE Asia
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Under glass grow in peat-free potting compost in full light or partial shade. Water freely in growth and apply a high-nitrogen every 2 weeks. Outdoors grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Pinch out young shoots and to keep plants compact
- Pruning
- Pinch out growing tips to promote bushiness
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed or cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects and glasshouse whitefly
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free