Coleus

Regno	Plantae
Sottoregno	Tracheobionta
Superdivisione	Spermatophyta
Divisione	Magnoliophyta
Classe	Magnoliopsida
Ordine	Lamiales
Famiglia	Lamiaceae
Genere	Coleus

Luce

Medium high

Acqua

Medium high

Specie

Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides, formerly Solenostemon scutellarioides) is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, native to tropical Asia and Africa. It is one of the most popular foliage plants in horticulture, grown for its extraordinary diversity of leaf colours and patterns — arguably the widest colour range of any foliage plant — spanning shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, green, cream and near-black, often in complex combinations.

Habitat naturale

Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides, formerly Solenostemon) is native to tropical Asia and Africa, growing naturally in forest margins, open woodlands and disturbed habitats with warm temperatures, high humidity and moderate rainfall.

Storia e cultura

Coleus has been cultivated as an ornamental plant since the Victorian era, when elaborate bedding displays were fashionable. Significant breeding work has produced hundreds of modern cultivars spanning almost every colour combination.

Utilizzi

Primarily grown as a bedding plant and houseplant for its extraordinarily diverse foliage colours — arguably the widest colour range of any foliage plant. It is also used in traditional medicine in some Southeast Asian cultures.

Conservazione

Widely cultivated; not considered threatened in the wild.

Specie e varietà (1)

Coleus scutellarioides

4 cultivar

Guida alla cura

Luce

Coleus needs bright light — and plenty of it — to develop and maintain its vivid leaf colours. An east- or west-facing window with several hours of bright light (or some direct morning sun) is ideal. In lower light, colours fade to near-uniform green. Outdoor Coleus tolerate full sun in cool climates; indoor plants should avoid very harsh direct midday sun, which can bleach the colours.

Acqua

Keep the soil evenly moist — Coleus wilts rapidly and dramatically when thirsty. Water when the top 1–2 cm feel dry and act promptly, as the plant does not recover well from repeated wilting. Ensure good drainage; do not allow to sit in standing water.

Substrato

Rich, well-draining potting mix with added perlite (3:1). Coleus is a heavy grower and appreciates a fertile mix.

Temperatura e umidità

Optimal 18–27 °C; minimum 10 °C. Very sensitive to cold — even brief frost kills it. Moderate to high humidity promotes lush growth. Standard indoor humidity is adequate.

Concimazione

Feed every 2 weeks during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Coleus is a vigorous grower and benefits from regular feeding.

Potatura

Pinch stem tips weekly to maintain a bushy, compact habit — Coleus becomes very leggy without regular pinching. Remove flower spikes as soon as they appear: flowering redirects energy from foliage and often signals the end of vigorous growth. Coleus is typically treated as an annual and replaced annually or propagated from cuttings. Cuttings root extremely easily in water within 1–2 weeks.

Propagazione

Talea

The most common method for propagating coleus is through stem cuttings. This method is simple and effective, allowing you to create new plants from healthy parent stock.

Select a healthy stem and cut a 4-6 inch segment just below a node.

Remove the lower leaves from the cutting.

Place the cutting in a glass of water or plant it directly in moist, well-draining soil.

Keep the cutting in a warm, bright location with indirect light.

Roots should develop within 1-2 weeks. Once rooted, transplant the cutting into a pot or garden bed.

Semina

Coleus can also be grown from seeds, though this method takes longer than cuttings.

Sow coleus seeds on the surface of a moist, well-draining seed-starting mix.

Lightly press the seeds into the soil but do not cover them, as they need light to germinate.

Keep the soil consistently moist and place the container in a warm, bright location.

Seeds should germinate within 10-14 days. Once seedlings have developed a few sets of true leaves, they can be transplanted into individual pots or garden beds.

Domande frequenti

Why is my Coleus losing its bright colours?

Insufficient light is the main cause of colour fading in Coleus. Move to a brighter position. Remove any all-green stems or shoots — these are reversions that will outcompete the coloured stems if not pruned.

Should I let my Coleus flower?

No — pinch off flower spikes as soon as they appear. Flowering in Coleus signals the beginning of the plant's decline, diverts energy from leaves and triggers leaf drop. Removing flowers keeps the plant in its vegetative, most ornamental state.

How do I propagate Coleus?

Take 8–10 cm tip cuttings, remove lower leaves and place in a glass of water on a bright windowsill. Roots develop in 5–10 days. Transfer to soil when roots are 2–3 cm long. Propagating in late summer extends the plant through winter.

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