Celosia picture taken 8-7-09.
FAMILY: Lamiaceae
GENUS: Solenostemon
SPECIES: scutellarioides
CULTIVAR: Kong Series
Coleus have been one of my long time favorites. I think it was my kindergarten teacher that have all us kids a plant. Back then, and still many people today, just call them “Foliage Plants” like it is their real name. So, until I knew different, that’s what I called them, too.
Three Coleus from cuttings and a Palm in a planter by the door to the den. 9-17-09.
Coleus come in in a wide range of leaf colors, patterns, plant heights, etc. They are one of the number one bedding/pot plant species EVER. They are very easy to grow inside or out. They are not so particular about location as they can be grown in part sun to part shade easily. Some websites recommend shade, but they grew in my back yard with morning sun and did exceptionally well. The neighbor up the street has had great results right in the full sun in her front yard. My brother in Minnesota had them in a pot on his patio in the FULL sun most of the day. When is gets cold, he takes it to an upstairs bedroom on the east side of the house… So, they are very adaptable! If they aren’t happy about something, they will let you know rather quickly with droopy leaves. You just need to pay attention! They prefer to be thoroughly watered when their soil drys out, but some people don’t quite let them dry out between waterings.
This is the one with the HUGE leaves! The plant is actually only around 6-8 inches tall when this picture was taken on 9-28-09.
I took the tiniest cutting and just stuck it in this planter… Half way neglected it, and it took off and has became the LARGEST leafed Coleus I have (not the tallest, but the one with the largest leaves). For some weird reason, even though all the cuttings came from the same plant, this one has grown the best and has the largest leaves! And to think I almost threw that tiny cutting in the trash… You just never know, that’s why I never throw any cuttings away if they are from a plant that will take root!
There are many other varieties I want to try… On the wish list!
The tiniet Coleus that turned into the largest plant with the largest leaves. It is 15 inches tall in this picture taken on 12-18-09. There is just one plant in this pot!
These cuttings were taken at the same time as the one in the above picture. There are three plants in this pot and they are only 6 inches tall compared to the 15 inches of the above plant. Picture taken on 12-18-09.
**BE SURE TO CHECK ROSY DAWN GARDENS AS A SOURCE OF THOUSANDS OF VARIETIES OF COLEUS! A link to this exciting greenhouse is located to the right of the page under the COLEUS SOURCE! You won’t want to miss it!
