Description

💧 Watering
Coleus is a “thirsty” plant and acts like a drama queen when it’s dry—it will wilt dramatically to let you know it needs water. During a Maltese summer, you’ll likely need to water it daily, especially if it’s in a terracotta pot. However, ensure it’s not sitting in water; the stems are fleshy and prone to rot if the soil is a swamp.

☀️ Light
In Malta, bright, indirect light is the gold standard. While they need light to keep their vibrant reds, purples, and limes, the intense Maltese sun will “bleach” the colors or scorch the thin leaves. A north-facing balcony or a spot shaded by a canopy is perfect.

Note: Deep purple varieties can usually handle more sun than the lime-green or variegated types.

🍃 Foliage / Growth
Features square stems (a hallmark of the mint family) and serrated leaves in endless color combinations. It is a fast grower and can become “leggy” very quickly in our warm climate. It does produce small lavender flower spikes, but most gardeners snip these off to keep the plant’s energy focused on the leaves.

🪴 Potting Mix
Thrives in a rich, peaty potting mix that retains moisture but still breathes. A standard high-quality indoor/outdoor compost works well. Adding a bit of perlite is a good idea to prevent the soil from compacting during our humid autumns.

🌿 Fertilizer
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half-strength every two weeks during the growing season. Since we grow it for the leaves, a fertilizer with a slightly higher nitrogen content will keep the foliage lush and oversized.

❌🐕🐈 Pet Safety
Toxic. Coleus contains essential oils that can cause skin irritation and gastrointestinal distress (vomiting and diarrhea) in cats and dogs. It’s best kept on a high shelf or a plant stand out of reach of curious nibblers.

🌬️ Air Purifying
Mainly used for its aesthetic “wow factor.” However, because it grows so rapidly and has a high leaf surface area, it’s great for boosting humidity.

*Pictures shown may vary from actual product due to the live nature of the items. Some items may be out of stock for various reasons, we will issue a refund or offer alternatives should that be the case.
The Price is per one individual plant.