Coleus is an annual plant also known as ‘painted nettle’, for its vibrant and spectacular outdoor foliage plant. It is available in many colors and is a wonder to look at. It is a low-maintenance plant and adds color and diversity to any space. Coleus belong to the Lamiaceae, or mint family, and bloom at the end of long stalks. It is a native of southern India and is primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions.

Benefits of Coleus Plant

Low Maintenance
The coleus is a permanent plant and is relatively low maintenance and does well with minimum but appropriate care.

Ornamental
The coleus plant is widely used for ornamentation in gardens, specifically in hedges and borders. The diversity of color in its foliage makes it the perfect plant for this purpose. Its stunning leaf colors make a perfect backdrop of colors and enhance the beauty of neighboring plants as well. 

Air Purifier 
The coleus plant has the ability to filter pollutants and toxins from the air and thus contributes to improving indoor air quality.

Soil Erosion
The Coleus plant is very effective in controlling soil erosion. Its dense growth makes it a great option for stabilizing slopes, to prevent landslides and soil erosion.

Care Tips for Coleus

Watering

The Coleus plant loves water. Keep the soil moist and your plant will thrive. Although the plant has been seen to be quite responsive, as soon as it gets dry, you will see the leaves drooping. This is a sign that the plant needs to be watered. 

Light

The coleus is a plant that does extremely well in temperatures between 15 - 30 degrees Celsius. Keep it in full sunlight during this time. In the tropics, during summers, try to keep the plant in partial shade. You can keep the plant under the shade of a bigger plant. 

Placement

The Coleus plant does well both as an outdoor and Indoor plant. 

Fertilisation

The Coleus is not a very demanding plant. You can use vermicompost or cow dung compost every 15 days to maintain its nutrition balance.  It can easily be propagated from seeds or cuttings.

Ideal Soil Mix

The Coleus plant requires porous, well-draining soil. The ideal soil mix for this plant is Garden Soil (50%) + Cocopeat (30%) + Vermicompost (20%).

Pruning

It is very important to consistently prune the Coleus plant to give it a better shape and encourage rapid growth. You can sow the cuttings from the plant directly into the soil, after removing leaves from the lowermost portion of the cutting. Also, keep cutting the flowers on the Coleus to save it from going into slow growth.

Pest Control 

The Coleus plant is susceptible to mealybugs and white flies. Control the pests by using neem oil spray every week on the leaves.

Frequently Asked Questions About Coleus Plant 

1. Is the Coleus plant good for home?

Yes, it is the perfect plant to keep indoors as well as outdoors. It will enhance the decor of your home or your garden.

2. What is the history of the Coleus plant?

The Coleus plant has origins in Southwest Asia and is found in tropical and subtropical countries.

3. Do Coleus plants flower?

Yes, the Coleus plant produces flowers, but they are small and are often trimmed by growers for better leaf growth and ornamentation value. 

4. How much water does a Coleus plant need?

The plant loves water and you will see an instant droop in the leaves if it needs to be watered.

5. Where can I buy Coleus plants? 

Head over to Urvann, India’s favorite online nursery, and browse from their extensive collection of plants. 

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