Coleus verschaffeltii

RHS Plant Profile

Chinese basil

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Other common names

Chinese basil, coleus, painted nettle

Synonyms

Coleus blumei, Coleus verschaffeltii, Plectranthus nudiflorus, Plectranthus verschaffeltii, Solenostemon blumei, Solenostemon scutellarioides

Conservatory Greenhouse

A tender, evergreen perennial to 60cm, with semi-succulent, square stems bearing ovate, toothed leaves. The species shows some leaf variegation and numerous brightly coloured cultivars have been developed from it. Small, blue flowers are borne on an upright, branching spike to 20cm

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: A genus of annual or perennial herbs or shrubs, some of which can be succulent or tuberous in nature, and one of the easiest plants to propagate. Their velvety leaves add vibrant shades of red, pink, green and purple to beds and borders, pots and containers
Name Status: Synonym
Plant Range: Malaysia and SE Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in peat-free potting compost in full light or partial shade. Water freely in growth and apply a high-nitrogen every 2 weeks. Outdoors grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Pinch out young shoots and to keep plants compact

Propagation

Propagate by seed or cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pinch out growing tips to promote bushiness

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

Generally disease-free