- Coleus
Botanical name: coleus scutellariodes
Beginner friendly?: yes
Average size at maturity: about 2 ft
Hardy zone: zones 9 and above
Foliage color: green, white, red, gold, orange, purple, brown
Growth rate: could potentially grow 2 inches a week, reaching maturity in 2 – 3 weeks
Pruning instructions: trim as needed throughout growing season
Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge
Landscape use: typically used as a filler element in containers
Light needs: about 4 – 5 hours of sunlight a day
Special features: high medical and soothing effects
Watering instructions: water when the top inch of soil is dry
Fertilizing instructions : use 10-10-10 in the early spring
Best time to plant: spring
Best type of soil: loam, sand
Companion plants: lantana, impatiens, cordyline
Toxicity level: mildly toxic if ingested
Invasive species: no
