What is the common name of the coleus plant?

Alternate names of coleus

Coleus, also called wucai su, laolai shao, wuse cao, and jin zisu, is a perennial herbaceous foliage ornamental flower of the Lamiaceae family and the genus Coleus.

Morphological characteristics of coleus

Coleus is a perennial herbaceous plant. Old plants can grow into a subshrub form, but the plant shape is unattractive and its ornamental value is low, so it is mostly grown as an annual or biennial. The plant height is 50~8Ocm, and cultivated seedlings are mostly kept below 3Ocm. The whole plant is hairy, the stem is four-angled and woody at the base, the leaves are simple and opposite, ovate, with a long acuminate tip and blunt teeth along the margin; the leaves can grow to l5cm long, and the leaf surface is green with brightly colored markings of pale yellow, peach red, vermilion, purple, and so on. The terminal raceme has small flowers that are light blue or light purple. The nutlets are smooth and glossy.

Growth habits of coleus

Coleus is a warmth-loving plant with strong adaptability. In winter the temperature should not be lower than 10°C. In summer, when temperatures are high, provide a little shade. It likes ample sunlight, and sufficient light can make the leaf color vivid. It likes moisture, and in summer it should be watered adequately, otherwise wilting is likely to occur. Also spray water on the leaves frequently to maintain a certain air humidity. Apply more phosphorus fertilizer to keep the leaves vivid. Avoid applying excessive nitrogen, otherwise the leaves will become dull. It requires loose, fertile soil; ordinary garden soil is generally sufficient.

Coleus flower language and legend

The flower language of coleus is a hopeless love, expressing innocence and despair. According to legend, coleus has seven leaves, and each leaf's color is different; in the dark it emits seven-colored light, like a colorful luminous pearl. It is said that coleus is spiritual: if a person with a pure heart owns it, it will shine and bring you happiness; otherwise, it will gradually wither and lose its luster.

Variety classification of coleus

According to propagation methods, coleus can be divided into two types.

Seed propagation type

1, Large-leaf type, with large ovate leaves, tall plants, few branches, and uneven leaf surfaces.

2, Colorful-leaf type, with small, long elliptical leaves, pointed tips, smooth leaf surfaces, and leaf colors including red, orange-red, yellow-green, and green spots on a white background, etc.

3, Ruffled-edge type, with split and wavy leaf margins; the changes in splits and ripples are very great, and there are also many leaf colors.

4, Willow-leaf type, with slender, willow-leaf-shaped leaves and irregular splits and serrations along the leaf margins.

5, Yellow-green leaf type, with small, yellow-green leaves, resistance to sunscald, and short plants with many branches.

Vegetative propagation type

1, Five-color coleus, with markings on the leaves in colors such as pale yellow, peach red, vermilion, and dark red.

2, Small-pattern grass, native to the Philippines and Sri Lanka. Plant height 15~20 cm, perennial herb, with horizontal stems. Leaves opposite, rhombic, 2~3 cm long, dark brown on the surface, green along the margins, and lighter on the underside. Flowers blue-green, in panicles 10~12 cm long.

3, Clustered coleus, a subshrub, plant height 80~100 cm, leaves bright green, heart-shaped ovate. Margins with coarse serrations. Flowers bright blue, in verticillasters, with 3~10 flowers arranged in spikes. Flowering period 11~12 months; grown in pots in winter for flower viewing.

Coleus picture appreciation