Coleus

Family Lamiaceae. Native to the island of Java. About 150 species occur in nature. This is an herbaceous plant resembling nettle in appearance, but without stinging hairs and with attractive coloring.

Cultivated forms are hybrids of Coleus blumei. The stem is erect, plants reach up to 80 cm in height. Leaves are opposite, oval, pointed at the tip, with wavy or toothed margins.

Leaves are finely pubescent, usually variegated. Inflorescence a raceme of numerous small flowers.



Temperature: Moderate in summer, cool in winter, around 15-16°C. Winter minimum 12°C.

Lighting: Coleus is light-loving. Requires bright, diffused light, shaded from direct sun in summer.

Watering: Water abundantly in summer; reduce watering in autumn and winter, but the soil should remain slightly moist. Preferably use soft water.

Fertilizers: Feed regularly from March to September with a solution of mineral fertilizers for ornamental foliage houseplants. Feedings are done weekly.

Air humidity: Coleus likes very humid air. Therefore humidify the air by frequent misting or place the pot on a tray with wet pebbles or expanded clay (leca).

Repotting: Repot annually in spring. Sometimes in summer coleus is repotted again, more precisely shifted to a larger pot, as its roots grow quickly and envelop the root ball. A second repotting is necessary when the plant's roots appear from the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. Soil - any nutrient-rich mix; coleus is not demanding regarding soil composition.

based on materials from the website www.iplants.ru