Showing off true colours

Coleus planted in a long planter box.

In Kuching I noticed that the coleus or botanically known as Solenstemon are very popularly grown as a house garden plant. This city seems to have the perfect climate to grow them. Indeed as seen above they prefer the direct sunlight and well-drained soil. Grown mainly for their colourful foliage, the stems are succulent and therefore require heavy watering. They love to be fertilised with manure and after a week of application will show off their true colours which are extremely eye-catching.

Above, coleus are planted as edging plants and continually pruned as a ground cover.

A light green and yellowish coleus variety in mixed planting.