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coleus

Scientific Name: Coleus barbatus

Family: Lamiaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Coleus: A Kaleidoscope of Color

Coleus, with its vibrant and diverse foliage, has captivated gardeners for generations. Its ease of cultivation and striking colors make it a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Considerations for Pets

  • Coleus is also known as Stinging Thyme, suggesting that it might have properties that could cause discomfort if handled or ingested.

Considerations for Children

  • Coleus is also known as Stinging Thyme, suggesting that it might have properties that could cause discomfort if handled or ingested.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Solenostemon scutellarioides
  • Common Names: Coleus, Flame Nettle, Painted Nettle, Painted Leaf, Poor Man's Croton, Indian Borage, Bread and Butter Plant, Spanish Thyme, East Indian Thyme, Stinging Thyme, Country Boarage

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)
  • Synonyms: Coleus blumei

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to South East Asia and Malaysia.
  • Coleus forskohlii is grown in Nepal, Thailand, and India.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Coleus exhibits a wide variety of leaf sizes and overall shapes.
  • Grows to 60-75 cm (24-30 in) tall.
  • P. oertendahlii (Brazilian coleus) is an evergreen perennial to 15cm in height, with trailing purple stems to 1m in length, bearing rounded-ovate, bronze-green.
  • Leaf colors can range from apricot, red, yellow, pink, rose, purple, orange, green, and chartreuse.

Growing Conditions

  • Coleus plants should be grown in bright, indirect light, or in partial shade.
  • Many varieties tolerate full sun, but foliage color is often enhanced in shade.

Traditional Uses

  • Coleus has been used for over 3,000 years in Ayurvedic medicine.
  • Coleus forskohlii has traditionally been used in Asian medicine.
  • It has also been found in the field of Medical Herbalism.

Quirky Facts

  • Coleus smells like camphor.
  • Coleus has been described as the "hosta of the annual world," with many cutting and seed varieties.
  • One author described the multitude of forms of coleus as vegetable clowns.

Further Information

  • Burpee.com
  • Rosy Dawn Gardens
  • National Gardening Bureau
  • WebMD