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Coleus Plectranthus

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Coleus:

Phonetic Spelling
plek-TRAN-thus
Description

Plectranthus is a genus of about 85 species of annuals, evergreen perennials, semi-succulents, and shrubs native to Africa and India in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. These plants vary greatly depending on the species. Some are grown as ornamentals, ground covers or for their attractive foliage.

These plants are often used in hanging baskets, containers, in the front of the border, or to add color during the growing season. They generally need well-drained amended soils in part sun to shade.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Mealybugs, spider mites, leaf spots, and root rot can sometimes be problems.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hanging baskets#summer flowers#variegated#border front#partial shade tolerant#container plant#perennial#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hanging baskets#summer flowers#variegated#border front#partial shade tolerant#container plant#perennial#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Plectranthus
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Africa, India, Yemen
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Habit/Form:
    Cascading
    Erect
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Flower Description:
    Flowers vary per species. Often 2-lipped in racemes
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Variegated
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    Varies per species. Leaves are often showy with wavy or serrate margins. Some are fuzzy and others variegated.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border