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The Coleus - Jewels of the Garden

During the summers with the temperature going up to 40 degree C and water shortage, Coleus with its multi colour and beautiful leaves, can make your garden graceful and charming.

Coleus is an old fashioned plant that appeared in most gardens decades ago and are just as beautiful now as they were then, maybe more. They came in many colors; mostly greens, reds, and some yellows. Most have a border around the edges with dark colors filling in the centers. They have been called the “Jewels of the Garden” because of their emerald greens and garnet and ruby reds.  

Coleus is natives of Indonesia and Africa. They are annuals (some are biennials) and do not tolerate cold temperatures at all. Some varieties put out a spike of flowers in late summer that can range from white to pink and purple. The coleus plants are grown for the flowers. The flowers should be snipped off so that the energy of the plant goes back into the gem tinted foliage. When you pinch the flower stalks or any of the leaves make sure to pinch them up instead of down. If you pinch down it is possible that you remove a little more of the stem skin than desired making and the plant may be damaged.

Coleus is so easy to grow; in fact, there are over 500 varieties in cultivation today. It is interesting to note that the plant used to be called Coleus blumei, now it is called Solenostemon scutellarioides.

Coleus is grows best in daytime temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees C and night temperatures over 15 degrees C. They prefer well-drained, moist soil with an application of fertilizer once a month.

You can winter-over coleus by placing them in a sunny window or under grow lights; however, in most cases they will start to wilt. Take a good cutting (or two, or three) and stick it in water until it roots.  After rooting, plant in soil and keep on the window sill until summer when you can plant them in a pot or in a garden. Don’t be surprised if you have to take cuttings from your cuttings two or three times during the winter.

Some of the named varieties available are:

Alabama Sun - combines cranberry, burgundy, pink with golden yellow on the outer edge of new growth.

Atlas - has really big scalloped leaves of deep burgundy and edged with light chartreuse. This one grows very tall.

Big Red - is just that, deep red in the center with a very slight green edging.

Black Magic - has dark purple leaves with edges of bright avocado green.

Blair’s Witch - is very unusual. The scalloped leaves are burgundy and purple in the middle with zigzag like edgings of bright green, yellow and red.

Camilla - has more muted colors of pastel pinks and reds with darker green at the very center and in the highlights.

Cantigny Royale - is very dark maroon in color and grows close to the ground with smaller leaves.

Careless Love - is mottled in chartreuse and burgundy in unusual patterns.

Coal Mine - has leaves of bright green that are touched with purplish burgundy here and there.

Defiance - is a common variety with its red center and wide green-gold edges.

Flirting Skirts - has tightly scalloped shell-shaped leaves with green in the center and soft yellow at the edge. The ribs of the leaves are raspberry red.

Fusion - is bright lime green with purple veining and highlights.

Glennis - is another unusual variety with light yellow to chartreuse centers and dark to pink and purple edges (kind of a backwards coleus).

Inky Fingers - leaves have finger like form with dark purple centers and avocado green on the edges.

Kiwi Fern - is another fingered leaved coleus but the leaves are almost like feathers. They are burgundy with golden rims.

Rustic Orange - is different because it isn’t red. Instead it is a definite orange with yellowish green edges.

Fringed Red - is another common variety with red leaves tinged with pink veins.  

There is hundreds of more beautiful coleus available to plant in your garden. Whether you plant one variety or many, coleus will make you proud of your garden.

Botanical and Common Name - The scientific name of coleus is Coleus hybridus and the plant is usually called by the name "Coleus", but other common names include Flame Nettle and Painted Nettle.

Plant Category - Coleus plants are frost tender perennials that are usually grown as annuals.

Bloom Time and Color - Coleus is grown for the colorful and variegated foliage although it does produce light blue flower spikes.

Foliage - The leaves of the coleus plant are highly decorative, often textured or with interesting shape, the colors are especially bright. Reds, pinks, greens and purples are often seen with heavy variegation.

Growth Habit - Coleus is a generally upright growing plant that creates colorful accents in container plantings.

Dimensions - Coleus can reach between one and three feet tall with a spread of eight to twelve inches.

Maintenance - Coleus needs little maintenance beyond regular watering.

Pests or Diseases - Few pests or diseases disturb coleus, making it ideal for container plantings where overcrowding can cause problems for more disease-prone plants.

Propagation Methods - While most gardeners purchase coleus from garden centers and nurseries as already started plants, it is easy to grow from cuttings. Starting coleus from seeds can be slightly more difficult but many gardeners have had success doing so when starting indoors eight to ten weeks before the last frost date.

Using Coleus in the Garden

Preferred Conditions - Coleus prefers rich, evenly moist soil and will grow in part to full shade.

Companion Plants - Grow coleus with other foliage plants such as hosta, ferns or bergenia. Use colorful shade container plants to create interesting focal points, by pairing coleus with purple fountain grass, verbena, and impatiens.

Seasons of Interest - As an annual plant, coleus does not overwinter in the garden.

Uses in the Garden - Use coleus anywhere bright color is needed in full or part shade. Anecdotally, the coleus with darker colored leaves will tolerate brighter sun than the varieties with lighter foliage. Many gardeners use coleus in containers, as edging plants, near ponds or water accents, along walkways, hanging baskets, porch rail planters and in small garden spaces.

With so many fantastic garden uses, it's no wonder that coleus is a staple for many landscapes and containers.