Copper Coral Coleus

🌿 The Copper Coral Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Copper Coral') is a stunning foliage plant from the mint family (Lamiaceae), originally native to Southeast Asia and Malaysia. This cultivar showcases brilliant copper-orange leaves with coral undertones that practically glow in the right light. It's a beginner-friendly plant that thrives indoors and grows quickly with minimal fuss. Fun fact: coleus plants were once considered outdoor annuals only, but modern breeding has created robust varieties like Copper Coral that flourish year-round as houseplants in Canadian homes.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This coleus grows in a bushy, upright habit with branching stems that create a full, lush appearance. The leaves are slightly elongated with gently scalloped edges, soft to the touch with a velvety texture. Copper Coral's colour palette shifts from deep copper-orange at the leaf centre to coral pink and burgundy along the edges, creating a warm, glowing effect. The foliage maintains its vibrant hues when given adequate light, making it a year-round accent piece.
FLOWER DETAILS
Copper Coral Coleus produces small, tubular purple-blue flowers on slender spikes that emerge from the stem tips. While the blooms are delicate and mildly attractive, they're not particularly showy or fragrant. Most growers pinch off flower spikes as they appear because flowering signals the plant to slow leaf production and can make the foliage less vibrant. To keep your coleus looking its best with maximum leaf colour, simply snip off flower buds when you spot them. This redirects the plant's energy back into producing that gorgeous copper-coral foliage you brought it home for.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright indirect light for 6-8 hours daily. Can tolerate some morning sun but avoid harsh afternoon rays that may fade leaf colour.
💧 Water: Keep soil consistently moist spring through fall. Water when top inch feels dry. Reduce slightly in winter. Bottom watering works well to avoid wetting foliage.
🌡️ Humidity: Thrives in 50-70% humidity. Tolerates average home humidity but appreciates occasional misting or a pebble tray.
🪴 Soil: Well-draining potting mix with good moisture retention. A blend with peat moss, perlite, and compost works perfectly.
🏺 Potting: Use a pot with drainage holes, 6-8 inches wide for young plants. Plastic or ceramic both work. Repot yearly in spring as it grows quickly.
🌱 Growth rate: Fast grower. Expect noticeable growth within weeks. Can reach 12-18 inches tall and wide within 6 months. Pinch regularly to maintain bushiness.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed every 2-3 weeks spring through summer with diluted balanced liquid fertilizer. Reduce to monthly in fall and winter.
🐾 Pet friendly: No. Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. May cause vomiting, diarrhea, and depression. Keep out of reach of curious pets.
WHERE TO PUT IT
Copper Coral Coleus works beautifully on bright windowsills in living rooms, home offices, or bedrooms where its warm colours add personality. It's perfect for east or west-facing windows where it gets gentle morning or late afternoon sun. Group it with other tropical foliage plants for a vibrant indoor garden display, or let it stand alone as a colourful desk companion. Avoid placing it in low-light corners, dimly lit bathrooms, or directly in south-facing windows where intense sun might scorch the leaves and fade that signature copper glow.