Coleus Solenostemon scutellarioides Trusty Rusty = 'Uf06419' (PBR) (v)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Not blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The plant known as Trusty Rusty is notable for its vibrant and colorful foliage. The leaves are a blend of deep burgundy and orange hues, which create a striking contrast that is visually appealing. The foliage also has a unique texture that adds to its ornamental value, with the surface of the leaves characterized by a crinkled or ruffled appearance. This texture further enhances the interplay of light and shadow on the plant's leaves, giving them a lively and dynamic look. The leaves are typically oval-shaped with pointed tips, arranged oppositely on the stems, which adds to the plant's bushy and full appearance. The margins of the leaves can be slightly serrated, contributing to the plant's overall texture. When it comes to the stem, it is sturdy and supports the dense and lush growth of the leaves. Trusty Rusty also occasionally produces small, inconspicuous flowers, but the plant is primarily cultivated for its decorative leaves. The flowers, if present, are less prominent and do not significantly contribute to its ornamental appeal. This plant's colorful foliage makes it a popular choice for various garden designs, particularly as an accent plant that provides a splash of color. Its unique appearance can add depth and contrast when paired with other plants in a garden or container arrangement. Its vivid colors tend to be most intense when the plant is grown in conditions that suit its preferences, which typically include a fair amount of sunlight to bring out the full richness of the leaf pigmentation.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Lamiaceae.
- Synonyms
  Coleus, Painted Nettle, Flame Nettle.
- Common names
  Coleus blumei, Coleus scutellarioides, Plectranthus scutellarioides
Toxicity
- To humans
  Coleus (the most common common name of Solenostemon scutellarioides) is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases of coleus poisoning in humans, and it is usually regarded as safe to have around the home. If ingested, it is unlikely to cause any harm beyond the possibility of mild gastrointestinal discomfort or an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals.
- To pets
  Coleus is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. While it is typically not hazardous if pets chew on the leaves, the ingestion of significant amounts of the plant might sometimes lead to mild gastrointestinal distress such as diarrhea or vomiting in some pets. Overall, coleus is not known for serious toxicity in pets, but as with any non-food plant, it is recommended to prevent your pets from ingesting it in large quantities.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Annuals
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Mixed
- Height
  1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  10
- Native area
  Southeast Asia

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: The plant, commonly known as Coleus, features vibrant and unique foliage that can add a splash of color to gardens and indoor spaces.
- Low Maintenance: Coleus is known for being easy to care for, which makes it suitable for both novice and experienced gardeners.
- Versatility: It can be grown in a variety of settings, from garden beds to containers and hanging baskets, allowing for creative garden design.
- Shade Tolerance: Coleus can thrive in areas with partial shade, making it an excellent option for spots in the garden that do not receive full sunlight.
- Season-Long Color: The plant provides consistent color throughout the growing season, until the first frost, without the need for seasonal replanting.
- Companion Planting: Coleus can be paired with other plants to create visually appealing combinations and to help define space in landscape design.
- Attracts Wildlife: While it is not specifically known for attracting pollinators, its vibrant leaves may still help attract beneficial insects to the garden.
- Ease of Propagation: Coleus can be easily propagated through stem cuttings, making it simple to expand your collection or share with others.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Coleus 'Trusty Rusty' can be used in textile dyeing for its vibrant range of leaf colors which could provide unique hues to fabrics.
- The plant's leaves can be pressed and used in craft projects such as botanical prints or in collages for its aesthetic variegation.
- As a teaching tool, Coleus 'Trusty Rusty' can demonstrate the concept of hybridization and plant breeding in educational settings.
- In small containers, it can serve as a festive table decoration, especially during the fall season due to its warm coloration.
- Coleus 'Trusty Rusty' can be used as a natural insect repellent if certain compounds found within the plant are effective against pests.
- The dried leaves can potentially be used in potpourri mixtures for adding color and a mild, pleasant fragrance to a room.
- This plant can be used as a living mulch to cover the soil in garden beds, thus helping to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- Coleus 'Trusty Rusty' could be involved in artistic photography where its vibrant foliage is used to create striking compositions.
- The plant may be featured in botanical gardens as part of educational displays focusing on the diversity of the Lamiaceae family.
- Coleus 'Trusty Rusty' can be cultivated for use in floral arrangements to add texture and a pop of color among cut flowers.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant Coleus is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant Coleus is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Creativity: Solenostemon scutellarioides, commonly known as Coleus, often symbolizes creativity due to its vibrant and variegated leaves, inspiring artistic expression and innovative thinking.
- Beauty and Aesthetics: The Coleus plant, with its stunning foliage patterns, is a symbol of natural beauty and aesthetic appeal, making it a popular choice for ornamental purposes.
- Change and Transformation: The Coleus's ability to mutate and evolve new patterns symbolizes transformation, reflecting life's ever-changing nature and the ability to adapt to new circumstances.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Coleus 'Trusty Rusty' prefers consistently moist soil but should not be overwatered. Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which could be about once a week, depending on environmental conditions. Typically, indoor coleus may need about 8-16 ounces of water per watering session. Outdoor plants may require more depending on the climate and weather. It is important not to let the coleus sit in water, as this can cause root rot.
Light
Coleus 'Trusty Rusty' thrives in bright, indirect light. It can tolerate some direct sun, but too much can cause the leaves to fade or burn. A spot that receives filtered sunlight, such as near an east- or north-facing window, is ideal. Avoid placing it in low light conditions, as this may result in leggy growth and diminished foliage color.
Temperature
Coleus 'Trusty Rusty' performs best in warm conditions, with an ideal temperature range between 65°F and 85°F. It can tolerate minimum temperatures down to 50°F but should be protected from frost, which can be lethal. Keeping the plant in a consistent and warm environment will ensure its growth and vibrancy.
Pruning
Prune Coleus 'Trusty Rusty' to maintain a bushy shape and encourage more vibrant foliage. Pinch back the growing tips regularly during the growing season to prevent flowering, which can lessen the plant's vigor. The best time for major pruning is in the spring, but regular maintenance can be performed throughout the growing season.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The Coleus 'Trusty Rusty' thrives in a well-draining, nutrient-rich potting mix with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A mix of peat, compost, and perlite or vermiculite is ideal for healthy growth.
Repotting
Coleus 'Trusty Rusty' should be repotted every 1-2 years or when it outgrows its current pot to encourage fresh growth and prevent root-bound conditions.
Humidity & Misting
Coleus 'Trusty Rusty' prefers a high humidity environment, ideally between 40-70%. Regular misting can help maintain these conditions indoors.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Coleus 'Trusty Rusty' in bright, indirect light indoors.
- Outdoor
  Grow Coleus 'Trusty Rusty' in partial shade outdoors.
- Hardiness zone
  10-11 USDA
Life cycle
Coleus 'Trusty Rusty' goes through a typical angiosperm life cycle beginning with seed germination, where it sprouts and forms a primary root and initial leaves. As it enters the vegetative stage, the plant grows stems and more complex leaf structures while photosynthesizing to gather energy. The plant matures and enters the reproductive stage, producing inflorescences where flowers develop, facilitating pollination. Following successful pollination, seeds form within the flowers, and once mature, the seeds are dispersed from the parent plant. The life cycle can be extended through vegetative propagation, a common practice for cultivars like 'Trusty Rusty', where cuttings are taken to root new plants, maintaining desirable traits. The plant’s life cycle completes when it experiences environmental stress, disease, or simply reaches the end of its lifespan, leading to senescence and death.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- The most popular method of propagating Coleus 'Trusty Rusty' is through stem cuttings. This technique involves selecting a healthy stem, about 4-6 inches (10-15 centimeters) long, and cutting it just below a leaf node. The lower leaves are then removed, and the cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root growth. The cutting is placed in moist soil or a water vessel until roots develop, which typically takes 1-2 weeks. Once the roots are established, the new plant can be transplanted to a pot or garden space where it can grow to maturity. This method is preferred because it's simple, cost-effective, and maintains the varietal characteristics of the parent plant.