This plant was given to me as a birthday gift, but there was nothing to identify what kind of plant it is. She said she bought it at Target, but we can't seem to find another one there. It grows very fast, and I was really surprised when the blooms came out! Thanks for any help you can give.
The 'Coleus' of gardens is actually Plectranthus scutellarioides. There are now thousands of cultivars of it varying widely in leaf shape and coloration. The original Coleus is Plectranthus amboinicus, a very different species that smells like oregano and is now widely grown in the tropics as an herbal substitute for it.
Thank you so much! I knew it looked familiar but I'm just used to seeing a more purple-looking variety. Thanks again.
Coleus definetly! One of about a bazillion varieties. To keep this plant more compact pinch out the flower spikes. They are not much to write home about anyway. Then it will branch. It can also be cut back further or shaped to make it just about any shape you like. Note the square stems identifying it as part of the Mint family.
That square stem thing gets far more credit than it deserves. Not all genera/species in the "mint" family (Lamiaceae) have square stems nor do all plants with square stems belong in the "mint" family. It may be a useful key character for regional floras but not for the family as a whole. Not all species of Plectranthus (including Coleus) have square stems. What really distinguishes the family Lamiaceae are the floral characters, especially the gynobasic style and the fruit of up to four one seeded nutlets. Also you are referring to selected garden cultivars not botanical varieties. Too many in the horticultural community use the term "variety" incorrectly.
