Plectranthus scutellarioides
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Coleus blumei
- Coleus pumilus
- Coleus x hybridus
- Solenostemon pumilus
- Solenostemon scutellarioides
- Phonetic Spelling
- plek-TRAN-thus skoo-tell-air-ee-OY-deez
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Plectranthus scutellarioides is an annual in the mint family with attractive foliage that comes in many colors. It can be grown outdoors as a tender annual/herbaceous perennial or indoors: it is slightly succulent too. It forms a 3 ft. mound as it grows and can be used in hanging baskets. If grown as a houseplant, it requires bright light. Remove flowers as they appear and pinch back stems to promote bushy leaf growth. This plant can be in the landscape in a flower garden as a cultivated, tender annual. Too much sun will cause plants to wilt, too much shade causes them to become leggy. It is easily grown from stem cuttings in potting soil or a glass of water. Some dwarf forms exist that may be labeled under the former name Coleus pumilus; they have a trailing habit, bright coloration, and are excellent in mixed containers.
Name Changes: Many Solenostemon species have been moved to the genus Plectranthus. Technically, Coleus pumilus and Solenostemon x scutellarioides now fall under Plectranthus scutellarioides.
Seasons: all season
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites on indoor plants. These plants are seldom damaged by deer.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alabama Sunset'
- 'Buttercream'
- 'Camellia'
- 'ColorBlaze Wicked Witch'
2nd Place in the 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials (in ground plantings) - 'Compact Red'
- 'Dark Heart'
- 'Defiance'
- 'Dragon's Claw'
- 'Eclipse'
- 'Flare'
- 'Florida Sunrise'
- 'Fright'
- 'Pinata'
- 'Tell Tale Heart'
- 'Trailing Red'
- 'Trailing Rose'
- 'Alabama Sunset'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alabama Sunset'
- 'Buttercream'
- 'Camellia'
- 'ColorBlaze Wicked Witch'
2nd Place in the 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials (in ground plantings) - 'Compact Red'
- 'Dark Heart'
- 'Defiance'
- 'Dragon's Claw'
- 'Eclipse'
- 'Flare'
- 'Florida Sunrise'
- 'Fright'
- 'Pinata'
- 'Tell Tale Heart'
- 'Trailing Red'
- 'Trailing Rose'
- 'Alabama Sunset'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Plectranthus
- Species:
- scutellarioides
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeast Asia and Malaysia; Asia and tropical Africa
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Mounding
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- Nutlet
-
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are small, blue-violet, in slender, terminal clusters, and irregularly shaped. Blue-white two lipped nettle-like flowers appear in racemes, early summer to fall but are not showy and can distract from the leaves. The flowers are insignificant. The calyx of the flower is persistent and resembles a saucer hence the Latin name "scutella."
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are ovate to oblong toothed and frequently feature a mixture of colors and patterns including red, burgundy, and pink. This plant is grown for its multi-colored foliage. This plant has opposite, simple leaves on 4-angled stems. They are often blotched with various colors and patterns.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Description:
- Stems can be semi-succulent and light green, making them stand out from the leaves. This plant has 4-angled stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Formal English Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous
- Plectranthus scutellarioides is often confused with:
-
Alternanthera ficoidea
-
Plectranthus argentatus
-
Plectranthus forsteri 'Marginatus'
- Plants that fill a similar niche:
-
Amaranthus tricolor
-
Brassica oleracea var. acephala
-
Euphorbia cotinifolia
