Guide to growing garden plants - Coleus (Painted Nettle)
Plants from the genus Coleus are low growing and bushy half hardy perennials.
It is often grown in the garden as a half hardy annual.
They have beautiful multicoloured leaves in colours such as black, orange, gold, pink and red. they reach a height of between 30 and 90cm.
Coleus is also known as Painted nettle or Flame nettle.
Coleus by St0rmz; Creative commons.
Coleus-1 by Tim Green aka atoach; Creative commons.
Quick Coleus Growing Guide and Facts
Common Names: Coleus, Painted Nettle, Flame Nettle.
Life Cycle: Half hardy perennial usually grown as a half hardy annual by gardeners.
Height: 20 to 80 inches (50 to 200 cm).
Native: Tropical Africa, Asia, Australasia.
Growing Region: Zones 5 to 10. As a perennial in zones 10.
Flowers: Late spring through to early autumn.
Flower Details: Inconspicuous spikes, purple, pale blue or violet. Grown for its attractive leaves.
Foliage: Green, pink, red, black yellow: variegated leaves.
Sow Outside: Surface. Following last frost in warm areas. Spacing: 6 to to 16 inches (15 to 40 cm).
Sow Inside: Germination time: one to three weeks in the light. Temperature 65 to 70°F (18 to 21°C). Two or three months in advance. Transplant outdoors when minimum temperature is not below 45°F (7°C).
Requirements: Full Shade or light shade. Most soils. Rich loam. Moist soil. Monthly feed with fertilizer rich in nitrogen. Pinch tips. Regular watering. Propagate by stem or leaf cuttings in late summer or autumn.
Miscellaneous: The Coleus genus is now split between the Solenostemon and Plectranthus genera.
How to grow Painted nettle (Coleus)
It is easiest to start the seedlings of genus plants indoors. they should be started about 3 months before they are due to be put out. They should be sown onto the surface and grown in the light at about 18 to 24 degrees Centigrade. they take around two to three weeks to germinate. Once seedlings of painted nettles are established they should be transplanted at about 20cm (Dwarfs) or 40cm (taller varieties) apart in mid spring, when there is no chance of a frost. They should be grown in a shady area that has a moist loamy soil.
Caring for Coleus in the garden
It is best to pinch back juvenile plants to promote branching. Coleus should be watered in dry spells. and requires a high nitrogen fertilizer once a month. Cuttings can be took in the late summer or autumn.