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{{SPlantbox
| name = ''Solenostemon''
|familia=Lamiaceae
| common_names = Coleus
|genus=Solenostemon
| growth_habit = ? <!--- tree, shrub, herbaceous, vine, etc -->
|common_name=Coleus
|habit=herbaceous
|lifespan=perennial
|exposure=part-sun, shade
|water=moist, moderate
| lifespan = <!--- perennial, annual, etc -->
|features=foliage, houseplant
| exposure = ? <!--- full sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) -->
|Temp Metric=°F
| water = ? <!--- frequent, regular, moderate, drought tolerant, let dry then soak -->
|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
| features = <!--- flowers, fragrance, fruit, naturalizes, invasive -->
|image=Upload.png
| hardiness = <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 5°C (40°F), etc -->
|image_width=240
| bloom = <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers -->
| image = Coleus varities.png
| image_width = 240px <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->
}}
}}
'''''Solenostemon''''' is a [[genus]] of [[perennial plant]]s, native to [[tropical]] [[Africa]], [[Asia]], [[Australia]], the [[East Indies]], the [[Malay Archipelago]], and the [[Philippines]]. They are commonly known as '''Coleus''', a name which derives from an earlier classification under the genus name ''Coleus'', which is currently treated as two: with species included in either the genus ''Solenostemon'' or in another genus, ''[[Plectranthus]]''.
{{Inc|
{{Inc|
Coleus (Greek for sheath, referring to the monadelphous stamens). Labitae. Common window-garden and greenhouse showy-leaved herbs, and a few less known species grown for the handsome flowers.
Coleus (Greek for sheath, referring to the monadelphous stamens). Labitae. Common window-garden and greenhouse showy-leaved herbs, and a few less known species grown for the handsome flowers.
==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
{{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
[[File:Solenostemon scutellarioides yellow.jpg|left|thumb|Yellow [[Solenostemon scutellarioides]]]]
[[File:Coleus inflorescence.JPG|right|thumb|Coleus Inflorescence]]{{nowrap|Many [[cultivar]]s of}} the southeast Asian species ''Solenostemon scutellarioides'' have been selected for their colorful variegated [[Leaf|leaves]], typically with sharp contrast between the colors; the leaves may be green, pink, yellow, black (a very dark purple), maroon, and red (somewhat resembling the unrelated [[caladium]]). New cultivars with varieties of colors are constantly being made. The plants grow well in moist well-drained soil, and typically grow 0.5–1 m tall, though some may grow as tall as 2 meters. Coleus are typically grown as [[ornamental plant]]s. They are heat-tolerant, but they do less well in full sun in subtropical areas than in the shade. In mild areas (no snow in winter), plants can usually be kept as [[perennials]] if well managed. In colder areas, they are often grown as [[Annual plant|annual]]s, since the plants are not hardy and become leggy with age (to encourage bushing in leggy plants, simply pinch back growing tips). In bright, hot areas, the colors of the plant are typically more intense in shaded areas than in full sun, and the plants will require less water there. Coleus also make low-maintenance [[houseplant]]s. The plant's [[flower]]s grow on a stem above that stem's leaves, and tend to be purple and quite small in comparison to the leaves. The plant is not generally grown for its flowers, as it promotes stem elongation (remove to halt this).
[[Image:Coleus spotted.jpg|left|thumb|A cultivated variety of coleus]]
===Propagation===
===Propagation===
[[File:Coleus tree.jpg|left|thumb|A cultivated coleus grown as a small tree]]
There are two ways to [[plant propagation|propagate]] Coleus. Seeds are inexpensive and easily obtainable. To germinate, simply sprinkle seeds on the surface soil and press down. Seeds need light to germinate, so avoid covering the seeds. To keep seeds moist, grow in a container and cover with plastic, or mist seeds daily (if starting seeds directly in the garden). Sprouts can show color in as little as two weeks. Alternatively, [[cutting (plant)|cutting]]s can be taken. Cuttings root readily in plain water, without the addition of rooting hormone (although it is still beneficial).
===Pests and diseases===
===Pests and diseases===
One disease that can affect coleus is downy mildew. This mildew appears on the leaves making the plant look dirty because it is brown in color. The organism is called ''Peronospora sp.'' and can also result in curled and twisted leaves. Sometimes symptoms are not found on leaves which make the disease harder to control.[http://gpnmag.com/articles/new%20disease%20attacking%20coleus.pdf] Another disease is [[impatiens necrotic spot virus]] which causes brown or yellow spots on leaves, rings, black or brown stem discoloration, and brown leaf veins, ultimately resulting in plant death. The disease is spread by an insect called a [[thrips]] that carries the virus from an infected plant to an uninfected plant. It only takes a few of these insects to infect a whole greenhouse. [http://www.plantpath.wisc.edu/pddc/factsheets/INSV.pdf]
==Species==
==Varieties==
Species include:
*''[[Solenostemon autranii]]'' (Briq.) J. K. Morton
*''[[Solenostemon rotundifolius]]'' (Poiret) J.K. Morton
*''[[Solenostemon scutellarioides]]'' (Linnaeus) Codd (syn. ''Coleus blumei'')
*''[[Solenostemon shirensis]]'' (Gürke) Codd
*''[[Solenostemon pumilus]]''
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery perrow=5>
<gallery>
Image:Upload.png| photo 1
Image:Upload.png| photo 1
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
==References==
==References==
<references/>
<!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 -->
<!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 -->
<!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432 -->
<!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432 -->
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