Coleus is a very common indoor plant in Russia. Spring protection of garden plants from pests and diseases

bright flower, which is so loved by many gardeners. Coleus surprises with its color palette and looks great in the same flower bed with other flowers. What features distinguish this flower from many others?

Coleus – perennial evergreen grass from the Lamiaceae family. Loves warm climates and bright light, mainly grows in the tropical zone.

The plant is very similar to our nettle, differing only in its bright, exotic color.

Not only the colors are varied, but also the shapes and patterns of the leaves. There are jagged, lanceolate, lobed and twisted leaf forms. Soft, velvety to the touch.

Coleus tends to bloom between June and September. However, the flowers are less attractive than the leaves themselves. They are too small and do not have clear and graceful outlines.

The complex inflorescence in the form of a spike is difficult to notice from afar, and in general they spoil the appearance. For this reason, gardeners usually remove them. Unpretentious flower They are grown both on window sills and in flower beds.

The most popular types of plants

Scientists have identified 150 species, but only a few have become widespread.

Blume

Small perennial shrub, reaching 80 centimeters in height. Slightly elongated oval shape leaves with coarsely toothed edges. Dropped on both sides.

The species has many variations of colors and patterns. There are about 200 hybrid forms, different in color.

subshrub ampelous kind. The stems are slightly drooping, which adds to the charm. Velvety leaves come in different colors. Red-brown, with a green border.

Leaves of pleasant Green colour. Appearance variety reminds me of mint. Grows in small bushes. Unlike many other species, it is more often used for medicinal rather than decorative purposes.

An ampelous plant. The stems are lodging, they can be given any shape, form lush shrubs. The elongated heart-shaped leaves also have a very bright color.

One of the most compact options. Elongated leaves are often red in color. The stems hang down.

About the history of coleus

The first mentions of this flower were recorded in India, Indonesia and the countries of South Asia. In this area, coleus is an integral part of the land cover of the homeland.

The flower was first brought to Europe in the mid-19th century from Indonesia. The first sale took place in England. Then it was sold at exorbitant prices. It was the British who began to breed it at home. The most significant discoveries were made by botanist Carl Blum, after whom one of the species was named.

In the wild they grow in the forests of Africa and Asia.

Beneficial features

It not classified as poisonous, so you can safely grow it at home. Possesses nearby beneficial properties. IN folk medicine commonly used root and aerial part.

• Normalizes metabolism. Improves intestinal function. Useful for weight loss, rids the body of fat cells;
• Improves lung function;
• Normalizes blood pressure;
• Improves contractile activity of the heart;
• Improves the rheological properties of blood;
• The leaves have a clear bactericidal property.

Do not get carried away and abuse coleus. Not recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Signs and superstitions

Over time, each plant is given labels of mystery and mystery. Coleus was not spared either.

• Starting to waste away for no apparent reason? Expect the imminent illness of someone close. Everyone living in the house should be more careful about their health.
• When growing a flower at work, it will bring good luck. If you believe it, then the plant with strong energy capable of clearing space of negativity.
• However, coleus in the house can make its owner bankrupt. The “roots” of this superstition come from the times when coleus was called “poor man’s cardboard.”
• If coleus blooms in winter- to be poor. In ancient times, people believed that the flowering of indoor plants meant famine. Now this is not justified, because heat-loving plant can bloom at any time in a well-heated apartment.
• If there is coleus in the house, a fire may occur. This is due to the bright leaves of the plant, which look like flames.

Growing as an indoor plant

Despite established signs, people continue to sprout coleus on windowsills. It's quite easy, you just need to follow the basic rules.

• Watering during its activity, it occurs as the top layer of soil dries out. In winter, the volume of water decreases depending on the temperature. Preferably soft water is used. With excessive moisture, the roots rot and lead to the death of the plant;
• Flower loves wet air . The kitchen will become ideal place for his habitation. If there is insufficient humidity, you can spray the leaves with water;
• The temperature should not exceed the mark in 25 degrees Celsius and go down below 12;
• The transplant is carried out every 2-4 years. The plant is replanted very carefully, as it has a very delicate root system. The mixture for transplantation must be identical to the previous one in composition;
• Fertilizers of mineral or organic origin are used for feeding. Fertilizing should be done in the spring-summer season;
• In the spring, pruning of “overwintered” leaves is carried out.

Coleus is quite bright and stands out with its appearance plant. Possesses a huge amount useful properties, easy to care for.

Thanks to the diversity color palette can be picked up suitable option for any composition. This plant is suitable even for the most novice gardeners.

Coleus has been grown for centuries for its variegated leaves. This is perennial unpretentious plant family Lamiaceae. The height of coleus reaches 35-70 cm. The genus includes about 150 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants tropical plants. The most common is Coleus Blume, which is native to the island of Java. There are about 200 hundred hybrids and varieties of this plant, the leaves of which are colored very differently. It is believed that Coleus Verschaffelta has the largest and most colorful leaves. Smallest sizes has dwarf coleus.

The name of the genus Lamiaceae is derived from the Greek. the word koleos means “case”, since the stamen filaments of plants of this group grow together into a tube, covering the base of the pistil.

The painted leaves of coleus with jagged edges resemble those of croton, a more exotic and expensive plant. Due to this similarity and relative cheapness in the UK, coleus is called "the poor man's croton." In Russia, coleus received a different name - "nettle". since its leaves are somewhat reminiscent of nettle leaves.

Coleus is usually grown as annual plant. Its leaves do not lose their decorative quality throughout the year. To enhance bushiness, it is recommended to pinch the apical shoots of coleus.

TO temperature Coleus is not very demanding. In summer it can be within 16-25º C. Make sure that in winter the temperature does not fall below 12º C.

Lighting should be bright, since coleus is a light-loving plant. A simple rule applies here: The less pure green color its leaves have, the more light the plant needs for normal development! But at the same time, coleus needs shading from the bright midday sun. In summer, a pot with a plant can be placed on a balcony or open veranda.

Watering Coleus should be regular. In summer it is abundant, and in winter it is moderate. For watering, use soft water at room temperature.

Air humidity- high. Coleus leaves must be regularly sprayed with settled soft water at room temperature; spray more often in summer, and sometimes in winter.

The soil For coleus, slightly acidic or neutral is suitable. Take a mixture of turf and deciduous land, humus, sand and peat in a ratio of 4:4:2:1:1.

Feeding produced in the spring-summer period during intensive growth once a week with mineral or organic fertilizers.

Transplanted overgrown plants every 2-3 years. If coleus are grown as annuals, they do not need to be replanted.

Reproduces Coleus by seeds or rooting cuttings. Seeds are sown in April - May, 5-7 pieces per hole, located at a distance of 3-5 cm from each other and sprinkled thin layer sand. Stem cuttings They take root easily in wet sand, and they sprout roots just as easily in water.

Bloom coleus is modest and not its most striking feature. Flowering begins late spring or in summer. The flowers are small with a bluish tint, collected in a spike-shaped inflorescence. Usually the flowers are removed; this procedure makes the plant more luxuriant.

What happens to the plant...

The lower parts of the stems rot. Excess moisture in the soil and poor drainage. Change your watering schedule and ensure good drainage.

The tips of the leaves are brown. The reason may be dry air or insufficient watering. Increase the plant's humidity and water it more often.

Leaves are falling. This may be a consequence of a draft or sudden temperature change. Follow temperature conditions and do not place the plant in drafts.

there are light spots on the leaves. This is an excess of light. Place the pot with the plant in partial shade and cover it from the midday sun.

The leaves are faded. Lacks sunlight. Increase the lighting intensity.

Slow growth. Lack of nutrition. Feed the plant with mineral and organic fertilizers.

Typical pests- aphid.

Family: Lamiaceae (Lamiaceae).

Motherland

In nature, coleus is distributed throughout Asia and Africa.

Form: herbaceous plant.

Description

Coleus is the name of a genus of perennial evergreens herbaceous plants and semi-shrubs. In culture it is grown as an annual or as indoor plant. Coleus is popular for its decorative, bright foliage in a variety of colors. Variegated or plain leaves of coleus can be painted in various shades of green, yellow, white, pink, red, crimson, purple flowers. The leaves are pubescent, toothed, oval-ovate in shape. The stem is tetrahedral, erect. Coleus flowers have no decorative value. The structure of the plant is very similar to nettle, which is why the popular name for coleus arose - nettle. The most commonly grown plant is hybrid coleus, or Coleus Blume.

Coleus Blume (C. blumei) - subshrub up to 80 centimeters high. Shoots are woody at the base. Includes many varieties.

Coleus Renelta (C. rehneltianus) - decorative ampelous form of coleus.

Growing conditions

Coleus prefers areas with bright, diffused light. Able to tolerate partial shade. Under straight lines sun rays The color of the leaves may fade or fade. The soil is loose and nutritious.

Application

Coleus is widely used in regular flower beds - in,. From coleus with different colors leaves can be composed decorative compositions with a complex pattern. Coleus looks good in groups made up of plants different varieties. Used for edge borders. Can be grown as . Combinations of coleus with other decorative foliage plants look interesting - for example, coleus ‘Black Dragon’ and silvery, coleus ‘Wizard jade’ and white-bordered, decorative cabbage and coleus.

Care

In summer, the plant requires regular, abundant watering. It is advisable to periodically feed coleus. Growing this plant is generally quite simple. Weeding and loosening of the soil are necessary. For better tillering, coleus plants are pinched or even trimmed. The emerging flower stalks are immediately removed. Containers with coleus can be brought indoors for the winter and stored until next spring.

Reproduction

For coleus, propagation is possible by seeds and cuttings.

Coleus seeds are available in stores in a very wide range. Sowing of coleus seedlings is carried out in March-April. Before sowing coleus, it is advisable to prepare a loose soil mixture. Coleus from seeds germinates quickly and amicably. As soon as a pattern becomes visible on the leaves, the seedlings dive into separate pots or cups. Subsequently, they are pinched several times to obtain compact, well-branched bushes. IN open ground Coleus can only be planted in early June, when warm weather finally sets in. The coleus plant does not tolerate frost at all.

Coleus cuttings are carried out in the spring. A plant overwintering indoors is pruned into a stump in February. Emerging young shoots are cut off and rooted in a mixture of soil and sand under glass or film. Rooting occurs within a week or two. The young plants are then grown in the same way as seedlings.

You can learn more about how to grow coleus from specialized literature.

Diseases and pests

Coleus can be affected by pests such as spider mite, mealybug, aphid, whitefly.

Popular varieties

Hybrid varieties of Coleus Blume

'Black dragon'- dark purple-brown leaves with red veins, grooved along the edges. Coleus variety 'Black Dragon' grows up to 30 centimeters.

'Brightness'- plant up to 45 centimeters high. The leaves are dark red with green edges.

Hybrids series 'Wizard'- differ in small height (up to 30 centimeters). The leaves are oval, of various colors.

‘Golden Wizard’- monochromatic leaves of yellow-light green color.

‘Wizard Jade’- white leaves with a wide bright green border.

‘Wizard of the evening dawn’- bright red leaves with a narrow greenish border.

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indoor ornamental plants

Coleus is a genus of perennial evergreen plants of the Lamiaceae family, uniting about 150 species of shrubs and herbs. In nature, coleus grows in the tropical forests of Africa and Asia. Starchy tubers of some species of coleus (C. parviflorus, C. edulis, etc.) are consumed by the local population. There are beautifully flowering species of coleus (C. frederici, C. thyrsoides, C. shirensis, etc.) and decorative leaf species (C. rehneltianus, etc.). Coleus species C. pumilus is grown as a classic hanging plant. In indoor culture, the most common forms are those obtained from the species Coleus scutellarioides (C. scutellarioides), among which the hybrid Coleus Bloom (C. blumei hybrida) with its numerous forms and varieties has become especially popular and widespread.

The leaves and tetrahedral, erect, woody stems of coleus are very similar in structure to nettles, which is why coleus is popularly called “nettle.” Plant height usually ranges from 30 to 50 cm; The bush is well formed by pruning.

The elongated leaves of coleus, pubescent on both sides, are often oval-ovate in shape, with denticles; there are forms with curly and fringed leaf edges. In large-leaved varieties of coleus large leaves reach a length of 15 cm or more. Among the varieties of coleus there are both more hardy plants with relatively dense, medium-sized leaves, and varieties with delicate leaves that are damaged by the slightest draft. For planting in the garden, stable small-leaved forms of coleus are most often used, which quickly form closing fluffy bushes. Such coleus easily tolerate cutting, after which they grow even wider and form elegant carpets.

Asia, Java island.

Crap. Africa?

I don’t know, but look here, maybe there’s something!

It is written in my book that there are about 60 varieties known in the tropical regions of Africa and Asia.

Most likely this is their homeland Source: Great encyclopedia indoor plants. Karchlheinz Rücker

Africa, Ceylon

Species: Labiatae

The plant is kept in winter at a temperature of 12-15 degrees. Requires bright lighting. General care. soil mixture No. 2. Heat-loving, prefers partial shade; in bright sun the decorativeness of the plant decreases. In spring, old specimens are pruned. Water with non-cold water, being careful not to flood the plants. Propagated by seeds, less often by cuttings. It is easily pollinated, so the seed offspring are often heterogeneous. Hybrid coleus - Coleus X hybridus Voss. grassy perennial up to 50-80 cm high. The stem is erect, branched, tetrahedral, succulent, finely pubescent. The leaves are opposite, petiolate, oval or broadly ovate with a truncated or heart-shaped base, the edges are often wavy, crenate, less often shallowly indented, finely velvety pubescent with sparse longer hairs, variously uniformly or variegatedly colored green, red, dark purple, violet. brown and other colors. The flowers are numerous, collected in a final sparse complex raceme or complex spike. The calyx is two-lipped, the lower lip has 2 teeth. Corolla up to 1.5 cm long, two-lipped, upper lip much larger than the lower, blue, lower with 2 teeth, whitish. A composite taxon consisting of 200 hybrid forms of garden origin, one of the parents of which is the Javan Coleus blumei Benth.