Coleus Flowers That Reseed

Coleus History

• The name "coleus" comes from the Greek word "koleos," meaning sheath. The reason this is associated with the plant is because the stamens (or male flower parts,) are fused into a tube or sheath-like shape. Blumei comes from the name of the Dutch writer Karl Ludwig Blume who wrote about Javanese plants in the 1800s. Common names that are sometimes used include flame nettle, painted nettle, painted leaf and poor man's Croton.

Basic Information

• Coleus is a member of the Lamiaceae or mint family and is related to plants like spearmint, thyme and basil. In its warm, native climate, coleus is an herbaceous perennial that produces opposite leaves on a square stem, with each stem ending in a bluish-lilac flower stalk. Coleus Blumei is characterized by unique foliage that has a wide range of color combinations, including green, yellow, burgundy, purple and pink. There are even coleus species that have ruffled leaves. One of the unique aspects of Coleus Blumei is its ability to grow in sun or shade.

Care Requirements

• Coleus is not a difficult plant to grow. It has simple needs that include decent, well-drained soil, regular watering and fertilizer. Fertilizer should be high in nitrogen, the first element listed on fertilizer packages. Nitrogen is important for coleus because it is the nutrient that stimulates leaf growth. Most coleus species prefer to grow in full to partial shade. Since coleus is not cold hardy, it is either grown as an annual bedding plant, in container gardens, or in pots that can be brought indoors in cold weather. It is not uncommon to grow coleus as a houseplant.

Propagation

• Coleus is one of the easiest plants to propagate. Cuttings root quickly when placed in a clear glass of water. Pruning and using removed stems to start new cuttings keeps plants well shaped and full and bushy, while creating new plants. If plants are allowed to flower, they may produce seeds, but the main reason for preventing flowering is that it compromises foliage growth and allows the plants to get tall and spindly looking.