Common Coleus
Coleus scutellarioides
- Native to:
- Australia, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Cambodia, China, Jawa, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Maluku, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Is., Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Thailand, Vanuatu, Vietnam
Photo by and (c)2006 Derek Ramsey ( Ram-Man (en.wikipedia.org) ). Location credit to the Chanticleer Garden.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Coleus
- Species:
- Coleus scutellarioides
- USDA Symbol:
- SOSC7
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, purple, white
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, hummingbirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers organic matter-rich environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; do not cover. Optimal germination temperature is 70-75°F.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI