The compact plants are durable and hardy to around 10°C (50°F). With colourful, medium-size leaves and a base-branching growth, they grow naturally close-to-the-ground and never need pinching to reach a bushy, symmetrical, compact form.

Growing 25 to 30cm (10 to 12in) tall, the heart-shaped leaves appear in vivid shades that all reach the same size at the same time.

Coleus are one of the easiest and most satisfying plants to grow, showing their first colours in as little as two weeks and keeping their hues right through the worst summer heat and humidity. They make wonderful plants for the summer border and are ideal for large containers or grown as a house plant, they do best in part to full shade and moist, well-drained soil enriched with organics. They make invaluable summer fillers for sunny borders when an earlier planting has failed, fairly vigorous they will quickly fill a gap with real style. They work well in most situations. In containers or the border, they accentuate the hues amongst annuals or perennials. They excel when used in combination with other shade lovers.

Sowing:

Sow all year round for pot plant. For the garden, sow 10 to 12 weeks before the last expected frost, they will then be well developed when it is time to plant them outdoors.

Sow seeds onto a layer of moistened, sterile potting soil in a shallow tray, do not cover as they need light to germinate. Cover with glass or plastic to retain moisture, until the seeds have germinated. Place in a warm (21°C/ 0°F), bright (not full sun) place.

When the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant into individual pots. Seedlings should always be held by a leaf, never by the stem.

When pricking out coleuses note that larger and stronger plants often have poorer quality foliage. When all danger of frost is past the plants may be set out in the garden. Plant them 30cm (12in) apart in rich, moist, well-drained soil.

Young leaves have to be protected against low temperatures and full sun. The leaves of the plants may get burned at high light intensity. Avoid drought stress, but do not overwater, the lower the growing temperature, the lower the water supply should be.

Cultivation:

Fertilise with a diluted (50% mix) liquid fertiliser, too much feeding with high nitrogen fertilisers, encourages soft growth and poorer quality foliage. Coleus is very durable, so you can cut your plant back severely if needed (almost back to the soil level).

Leaves and flowers develop at the same time. Remove the flowers and pinch out new shoots for a bushier plant. To extend the lush colour into autumn, remove any stray flower spikes that emerge, as they take energy away from maintaining the gorgeous foliage, and the flowers are not particularly attractive.

Coleus should be kept at a 15 to 20°C (60-70°F) over winter. They will survive down to 10°C (50°F), and have been known to survive at 4°C (40°F) but only if kept dry, losses to rot and fungal diseases are high if the plants are allowed to get cold and damp.