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Coleus scutellarioides 'Carefree Mix'
| Family Name: | Lamiaceae (Labiatae) |
| Synonyms: | Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Carefree Mix' |
| Common Name: | Coleus, Painted Nettle |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
|---|---|
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Biennial, Semi-Annual / Annual-Like |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Of horticultural origin |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal, Temperate |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbs 20-30 cm tall |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves 2-5cm long by 1-2cm wide. Leaf margins lobed - dissected. Leaf color highly variable, in shades and/or combination of green, yellow, cream, red, maroon and orange, with or without spots and flecks. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | 'Carefree Mix' is one of the popular Coleus cultivar seed strains, and a good variety of color forms can often be obtained from a single seed packet. |
| Cultivation | Cut away the developing inflorescence/ flowers to prolong the lifespan of the plant as it may die off more rapidly if allowed to set seeds. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Flowerbed / Border, Container Planting |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly-Attracting (Flower Nectar) |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Butterfly, Moth)) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Easy to Grow |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Pruning | Pruned branches can be used as cuttings. |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Brown, Cream / Off-White, Green, Green - Light Green, Orange, Red, Yellow / Golden, Patterned |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Thin |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Blue |
|---|---|
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31890 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6291 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
