Coleus Plants Are Often Given High Regards As Decorative Garden Plants

Belonging to the plant genus Solenostemon, the coleus plant species includes five different types of tropical perennial plants. Owing to their colorful foliage and ornate leaves, many hybrid varieties of coleus are also cultivated which impart these plants their multi-colored look and mixed foliage patterns. The geographical regions that serve as the native growing grounds, the cradles of inception so to say, of these plants are the tropical regions of Africa, Australia, Asia, South and Southeast Asia, the Indonesian Archipelago and the Philippines. Due to its brightly colored leaves, coleus plants are often given high regards as decorative garden plants by plant lovers and gardening enthusiasts. Also, potted coleus plants are often kept in apartments and flats by people to impart some color and natural beauty to these otherwise enclosed habitats, that do not have a garden. Come, let's get to know this beautiful garden plant a little closely.

Scientific Name of Coleus

Although more than one plant species are known commonly as coleus, Coleus Blumei and Coleus X hybridus are the common scientific names that are used to identify species belonging to the coleus group. Other common names by which coleus plants are known are Poor Man's Croton, Flame Nettle, Painted Nettle, Painted Leaf and simply Coleus.

Caring for a Coleus Plant

If you're all upbeat about getting a coleus plant for your apartment, then you must be wondering how to care for a coleus plant, aren't you? Well, rid yourself of all worries as I bring you relevant information regarding all you need to know about coleus care. Coleus plants grow best when placed in bright, open areas that are partially covered and receive indirect sunlight. Although they undergo no damage, if exposed to direct sunlight, the brightly colored leaves of coleus plants often exhibit signs of fading when fully exposed to the sun. One of the best tips to keep your coleus fresh and perennial for several years is to remove the flower spikes, as and when they appear and to keep the plant pinched back. If flowers are allowed to bloom, the leaves lose much of their color.

The ideal soil for growing coleus should be quick draining to avoid excess moisture accumulation at the roots. Excess water at the roots can cause them to decay, making the plant die out sooner than it should. You can get commercial potting soil set into the flower-pot in which you intend to grow the coleus plant. You must always take care to ensure that the soil is evenly moist without inching towards sogginess. The ideal pH of the soil should be either neutral or marginally alkaline. Although these seemingly delicate but otherwise hardy plants are extremely adaptable to a wide range of atmospheric temperatures above 55 °F, they undergo the best rate of growth and exhibit the most strikingly bright hues of color when kept within a temperature range of 70°F to 85°F.

If it's an open garden that you intend to grow your coleus plants in, make sure that you plant them at least a foot apart from each other in the flower bed. Suppose the plants appear to wilt due to the soil getting dried out, this should not be a cause of concern as they recover very quickly once the adequate amount of moisture is restored. Nourishing your coleus plants with a liquid, multipurpose fertilizer once every month along with overseeing the soil moisture levels and keeping the flowers off are sufficient to keep your plants healthy and colorful for many seasons.

Are Coleus Plants Poisonous?

Well, depending upon the sensitivity level of each individual's skin, the coleus leaves may give you a mild version of allergic dermatitis. You may get reddish rashes on the skin if you've been in contact with the leaves for a long time or pretty frequently. The irritation usually lasts for just a few minutes and medical attention may not be needed at all.

That is all you need to know about coleus plants and croton plant care, whether you keep them as houseplants or plant them in elaborate flower beds. Slugs, snails, aphids, mealy bugs and white flies are the most common parasitic bugs that pose threat to the colorful foliage of coleus plants. Look out for random perforations and tears in the leaves to identify bug attacks on your beloved coleus plants and sprinkle appropriate anti-parasite products to keep them at bay. After all, you wouldn't want those little devils to spoil the colorful view, would you?