Coleus
ExplorePlants
Coleus
Coleus
Coleus plants are known for their vibrant and colorful leaves that come in various patterns. They are popular for adding beauty to gardens and indoor spaces.
Habitat: Gardens, Indoor Spaces
Appearance
The Coleus has incredibly vibrant, patterned leaves that come in a dazzling array of colors including red, green, yellow, purple, and pink. Its distinct square stems hold soft, often velvety leaves that are edged, speckled, or splashed with contrasting hues, making each plant a living artwork.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaFamilyLamiaceaeGenusColeus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient Victorians loved Coleus so much, they called them 'painted nettles'!
Its bright leaves aren't flowers! They're just super colorful foliage!
Some Coleus plants can be grown as small trees, not just bushy plants!
You can grow a brand new Coleus from just a small stem cutting!
Special abilities
Ability
Chameleon Leaves
Coleus can change the intensity and shade of its leaf colors depending on how much sunlight it receives, like a plant chameleon.
Ability
Endless Copies
Coleus has the amazing ability to grow a whole new plant from just a small piece of stem, making it easy to share.
Ability
Shade Showstopper
Coleus can thrive and display its bright colors even in shadier spots where many other colorful plants struggle to grow.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-90 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer, Fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
visits small flowers for nectar
pollinates
common eastern bumblebee
Bombus impatiens
collects pollen and nectar
eats
beet armyworm
Spodoptera exigua
larvae feed on foliage
eats
cotton aphid
Aphis gossypii
sucks sap from leaves
Traits
Ornamental
Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Variegated
Pertaining to plants with leaves or petals exhibiting different colors in patches or stripes.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Also known as
Coleus PlantPainted Nettle
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Enjoy looking at coleus plants, but avoid touching or ingesting them as some varieties may cause mild skin irritation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Coleus?
30-90 cm
How wide does Coleus spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Coleus?
0.5-1 cm
When does Coleus bloom?
Summer, Fall
Is Coleus edible?
No
Is Coleus toxic?
Mild
What is Coleus's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Coleus pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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