Coleus, << KOH lee uhs, >> is the name for a group of plants native to tropical and nearly tropical areas of Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. There are over 150 species of coleus.
One of the best-known species is the common coleus. It is a popular house plant, largely because its leaves show patterns of white, green, yellow, pink, red, bronze, or purple in various combinations. The common coleus may grow 2 to 3 feet (61 to 91 centimeters) tall or more, but gardeners usually keep it shorter. It is a perennial–that is, it can live for more than two years. But the plant cannot survive outdoors in cold regions. Gardeners grow the common coleus in pots, hanging baskets, and window boxes.
Coleus plants grow easily. Seeds may be planted indoors in late winter or spring and replanted outdoors in warm weather. Pieces cut from a coleus develop in most soils or sand in a humid place at room temperature.
