Coleus Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Juliet Quartermain'
ABOUT
The plant known as Coleus 'Juliet Quartermain' features a striking appearance, characterized by its vibrant foliage. The leaves display a rich tapestry of colors that typically include shades of red, pink, purple, and green. Each leaf is unique, with patterns that may resemble intricate veins or a marbling effect, contributing to the plant's overall ornamental appeal. The texture of the leaves is another notable characteristic, as they can range from smooth to slightly ruffled or puckered, adding to the visual interest. Depending on the amount of light the plant receives, the intensity of the colors may vary, with brighter light often intensifying the coloration. The edges of the leaves are typically outlined with a contrasting color, creating a distinct and eye-catching border. This delineation helps the main colors of the leaf stand out even more prominently. The leaf shape can be quite varied, but they often have a broad, ovate shape that tapers to a point, reminiscent of a classic leaf silhouette. Coleus 'Juliet Quartermain' can produce small flowers that are generally considered insignificant in comparison to the dramatic foliage. Most gardeners choose to pinch off these flowers to keep the plant's energy focused on the vibrant leaves, which are the true stars of the show. In summary, Coleus 'Juliet Quartermain' is a visually captivating plant with richly colored, patterned leaves that are the highlight of its appearance. The combination of colors and leaf textures makes it a popular choice for gardeners looking to add a splash of color to their plant collection.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae.
Synonyms
Coleus, Painted Nettle, Flame Nettle.
Common names
Coleus blumei, Coleus scutellarioides, Plectranthus scutellarioides.
ToxicityTo humans
The common name for Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Juliet Quartermain' is Coleus. Coleus is not known to be highly toxic to humans. However, if ingested, it may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, such as diarrhea or vomiting, in some individuals due to the presence of certain compounds that can be irritants. Chewing or consuming parts of the plant might also result in a burning sensation in the mouth or throat. It's always advisable to keep plants out of reach of small children who may accidentally ingest them.
To pets
Coleus is considered to be mildly toxic to pets. If a pet, such as a dog or cat, ingests parts of the Coleus plant, they may experience gastrointestinal irritation, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes excessive salivation. To avoid any potential health issues, it's best to keep the Coleus plant out of reach of pets and to monitor them for any signs of distress if they are known to have ingested the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Mixed
Height
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
10
Native area
Tropical Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Juliet Quartermain', commonly known as Coleus 'Juliet Quartermain', is prized for its vibrant and varied foliage, which can add bursts of color to gardens, patios, or indoor spaces.
- Easy to Grow: Coleus 'Juliet Quartermain' is known for being easy to care for, making it a suitable choice for beginner gardeners or those without a green thumb.
- Versatile Plant: It can be used in a variety of settings, including container gardens, bedding arrangements, and as accent plants, providing flexibility in landscape design.
- Shade Tolerance: This plant is capable of thriving in shaded areas where other colorful plants might not grow, which can help to brighten up these spaces.
- Attracts Pollinators: Although Coleus 'Juliet Quartermain' is mainly grown for foliage, if allowed to flower, it can attract beneficial insects such as bees to the garden.
- Fast Growing: The plant grows relatively quickly which allows for a short period from planting to enjoying the full effect of its decorative leaves.
- Seasonal Variety: Coleus 'Juliet Quartermain' offers seasonal variety as its leaf color can change in intensity and hue based on the temperature and light levels, making it a dynamic addition to any planting arrangement.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Coleus 'Juliet Quartermain' can be used in small pots as party favors or table decorations for events and weddings, adding a pop of color to the decor.
- Due to its vibrant foliage, the coleus can be cultivated as a natural dye source for fabrics or paper, offering a range of colors depending on the part of the plant used.
- In terrariums or fairy gardens, coleus adds a touch of fantasy with its bright, patterned leaves, creating a miniature, whimsical landscape.
- The plant can serve as a living mulch, covering the ground in garden beds to help maintain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- Artists and crafters may use coleus leaves for leaf-printing projects, where the intricate patterns can be transferred to various media.
- Coleus can be grown alongside certain vegetables as a companion plant to help deter garden pests through its strong scent.
- It can be used in educational settings, such as schools or community gardens, to teach children about plant propagation and horticulture.
- The bright foliage can be used as a natural indicator for sunlight, as the colors can fade or intensify depending on light exposure, teaching gardeners about light requirements for plants.
- Creative gardeners might use the striking leaves of coleus to create a living mosaic or "plant painting" by arranging different varieties together.
- When used in sensory gardens, the texture and color of coleus leaves provide a stimulating visual and tactile experience for visitors.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Coleus is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Coleus is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Creativity: Coleus, with its vibrant and colorful leaves, symbolizes an atmosphere of creativity and inspiration, representing a spur to artistic or innovative expression.
- Diversity: The wide variety of patterns and colors found on coleus leaves symbolize the beauty of diversity and the acceptance of different ideas and personalities.
- Change and Transformation: Coleus can also symbolize change, as the plant can easily adapt to its environment and its foliage may change hue with varying levels of sunlight, embodying flexibility and transformation.
WaterThe Coleus 'Juliet Quartermain' should be watered deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically means watering once every week or two, depending on environmental conditions. It’s important to avoid soggy soil, so ensure the pot has good drainage. Apply water until it begins to drain out of the bottom, generally this will be around 8-16 onzes for a standard pot. During the growing season in spring and summer, the plant may need more frequent watering, while in winter, water needs may decrease.
LightColeus 'Juliet Quartermain' prefers bright, indirect sunlight and can benefit from a few hours of direct morning sun, but should be protected from strong afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch. An east or north-facing window is an ideal spot for this plant to ensure it receives the light it needs without being damaged by intense sun rays.
TemperatureThe Coleus 'Juliet Quartermain' thrives in temperatures between 60°F and 75°F, and it's important to keep the plant away from cold drafts and heating vents. The minimum temperature it can tolerate is around 50°F, while temperatures above 90°F could cause stress to the plant. Maintaining consistent temperature conditions within this range is ideal for healthy growth.
PruningPruning the Coleus 'Juliet Quartermain' promotes bushier growth and prevents legginess. Pinch off the tips of the stems regularly, especially during the spring and summer months. The best time to prune heavily, if needed, is in early spring before new growth begins. Pruning can be done every few weeks or as needed to maintain the desired shape and size of the plant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Coleus 'Juliet Quartermain' is a well-draining potting mix with peat moss, perlite, and compost to provide nutrients. The ideal soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.
RepottingColeus 'Juliet Quartermain' should be repotted every one to two years to refresh the soil and allow room for growth. Spring is the best time for repotting to give the plant time to establish before the growing season.
Humidity & MistingColeus 'Juliet Quartermain' prefers a high humidity environment, ideally between 40% to 70%. They thrive in moist but not wet air conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Coleus 'Juliet Quartermain' in bright, indirect light inside.
Outdoor
Grow Coleus 'Juliet Quartermain' in a shaded spot with ambient light.
Hardiness zone
10-11 USDA
Life cycleThe Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Juliet Quartermain', commonly known as Coleus 'Juliet Quartermain', begins its life cycle when seeds are sown and germinate, usually within 7 to 14 days under warm conditions. The seedlings emerge and grow into juvenile plants, where the distinctive variegated foliage begins to develop. It then enters a rapid vegetative growth stage where stems and leaves expand, and it can be pinched back to encourage bushier growth. As an adult plant, it may produce small, less conspicuous flowers, although many growers pinch these off to keep the plant's energy focused on foliage. This plant is often grown as an annual where it completes its life cycle within one growing season, unless cuttings are taken to overwinter indoors. Should it not be propagated or overwintered, the plant will eventually senesce and die after seed maturation or with the onset of cold temperatures.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating Coleus, scientifically known as Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Juliet Quartermain', is through stem cuttings. This is typically done during the warmer months, from spring to early fall, when the plant is actively growing. To propagate, a healthy stem is selected and a cutting of about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) is taken, making sure to include several leaf nodes. Leaves on the lower part of the cutting are removed and the cut end is dipped into a rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then placed in a moist soil mix or water until roots have formed, which usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. Once rooted, the new Coleus plant can be transplanted into a pot or garden bed where it can grow into a mature plant.
