common coleus
Quick Summary
Coleus are ornamental plants belonging to the mint family (Lamiaceae). While formerly grouped under the genus Coleus, their taxonomy is debated, with species now distributed across several genera.
The common coleus, or painted nettle (Plectranthus scutellarioides), is a well-known house and garden plant originating from Java. These plants can grow up to one meter (three feet) tall and are cultivated for their vibrantly colored and patterned leaves, often featuring combinations of magenta and green, though many other color variations exist. They have square stems and produce small, blue, two-lipped flowers arranged in spikes.1
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