Coleus Red Velvet is an ornamental plant that is native to tropical regions of Australia, South-East Asia and some Pacific Islands. Coleus is renowned for its spectacular leaves that make for excellent indoor plants. The Red Velvet variety has a beautiful shade of maroon.
Suitable for Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates.
The Coleus family of plants are a close relative to Nettle and are sometimes called Painted Nettle or Painted Leaves. In their native habitat it is possible for Coleus to continually fruit and flower all year round.
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Growth
Coleus Red Velvet is an upright annual or short-lived perennial plant that grows to a height of up to 1 metre (3 feet) by a width of around 60cm (24 inches). Coleus plants are frost tender and do not tolerate harsh sunlight or temperatures below 12°C / 55°F. They thrive in shady locations in tropical climates or indoors in cooler climates.
In the right conditions, Coleus can take around 90-100 days to reach maturity.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
For additional information visit our Growers Notes page or the list of the best gardening websites or check out the article about how to use your waste at home as a natural fertiliser.
FAMILY:
Lamiaceae
CLIMATE:
Sub-Tropical and Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
12-27°C / 55-80°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining.
LOCATION:
Shade or Semi- Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 1 metre (3 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 60cm (24 inches)
pH:
6.0-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial or Annual in cooler climates.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Bees and Butterflies.
MATURITY:
90-100 days
GERMINATION RATES:
70-80%
GERMINATION TIME:
7-14 days at temperatures between 15-22°C / 62-72°F
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 3500
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
No
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 3 years.
FACTS ABOUT PLECTRANTHUS SCUTELLARIOIDES
Plectranthus scutellarioides was first introduced into Europe in 1851 from Indonesia. Throughout the 20th century, commercial scale breeding of Coleus varieties led the plant variety to become the tenth most popular bedding crop in the United States.
The Mazatec people in southern Mexico are said to consume the leaves in order to experience mind-altering effects. Please don’t try this at home.
Some of the countries that Coleus is native to include the northern parts of the Australian states and territories of Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland. In Asia, they are found wildly growing in the Phillipines, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia and in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
For more information regarding how to care for Coleus plants please click here.
