Coleus Coleus scutellarioides
Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides) is an annual flowering plant in the Lamiaceae family, native to Tropical Southeast Asia to Australasia. It grows 30–90 cm (12–35 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 4 °C (39 °F). Space plants about 35 cm (14 in) apart.
Plan Coleus in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Coleus at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Mature height | 30–90 cm (12–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 35 cm (14 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 4 °C (39 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 33 °C (91 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–14 weeks after planting, for 9–14 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 90 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Tropical Southeast Asia to Australasia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Coleus toxic?
- People: not well documented
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves, stems
ASPCA lists coleus as mildly toxic to dogs and cats, with vomiting and diarrhoea from the essential oils.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Coleus
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Coleus
- How far apart should I plant Coleus?
- About 35 cm (14 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does Coleus need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Coleus need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Coleus?
- It tolerates about 4 °C (39 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Coleus flower?
- About 9–14 weeks after planting, for 9–14 weeks.
- Is Coleus poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people not well documented. ASPCA lists coleus as mildly toxic to dogs and cats, with vomiting and diarrhoea from the essential oils.
- What grows well with Coleus?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Coleus. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Tender perennial grown for coloured foliage; treated as an annual outside zone 10; pinch off flower spikes to keep plants bushy. Leaf colour varies widely by cultivar.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Basil Ocimum basilicum
- Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus
- Thyme Thymus vulgaris
- Mint Mentha spicata
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum
- Common sage Salvia officinalis
- Oregano Origanum vulgare