Felder Rushing
Family
Lamiaceae
Botanical Name
Solenostemon scutellarioides
Plant Common Name
Coleus, Painted Nettle
General Description
Coleus are popular bushy tender perennials that are planted for their spectacularly colored, often variegated foliage. They are shade-loving and originate from southeast Asia. Where hardy, they grow as upright to mounding evergreen shrubs. There are hundreds of coleus cultivars that come in a wide variety of colors, such as red, pink, burgundy, scarlet, gold and many shades of green.
Coleus grow best in fertile, moist, well-drained soil and part shade. Where summers are cool, they may be grown in full sun. For best foliage color, remove flower buds from your coleus before they have a chance to bloom. These are excellent foliage plants for mixed beds, borders and containers.
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
White, Blue
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Foliage Color (Spring)
White, Red, Green, Gold, Pink, Burgundy
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Summer)
White, Red, Green, Gold, Pink, Burgundy
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Fall)
White, Red, Green, Gold, Pink, Burgundy
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Winter)
White, Red, Green, Gold, Pink, Burgundy
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Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
Variegated
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Bedding Plant, Container, Edging, Hanging Basket, Mixed Border, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
No
