Overview

Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides) is a fast-growing tropical foliage plant in vivid lime, burgundy, pink, red, bronze, and cream, bringing color without flowers.

Mature Size and Habit

Cultivars range from compact mounds under one foot to upright plants about 3 feet high and wide; pinching controls size

Best Landscape Uses

Use it in containers, shaded borders, mass plantings, or beneath open canopies, grouping cultivars by mature vigor

Sunlight

Most forms prefer morning sun or filtered light; sun-tolerant forms accept more exposure, while deep shade dulls color

Soil, Drainage, and Irrigation

Plant in fertile, well-drained soil and water as the surface dries; Coleus wilts in drought but declines in saturated soil

Best Planting Season for Tampa and Central Florida

Fall through early spring gives Coleus mild establishment weather in Tampa; warm-season planting also works with dependable irrigation and close monitoring.

Pruning and Maintenance

Pinch tips for density, remove flower spikes when foliage is the priority, and check for mealybugs, mites, caterpillars, and rot

Wildlife Value

Flowers offer limited resources for small bees when retained; add native nectar and host plants for stronger ecological function

Cold and Heat Sensitivity

Coleus thrives in warm humid weather, but freezes kill top growth and hot wind or dry containers cause rapid wilt and scorch

Safety, Roots, and Placement Warnings

Coleus is a pet concern if chewed and can irritate skin or digestion; place it away from animals and clean up cuttings

Invasive Concerns

Coleus is nonnative and not generally invasive in Florida, though some forms self-seed or root from discarded cuttings

Helpful Resources

See NC State Extension Coleus guidance and Kew records.