Coleus scutellarioides Abbey Road

The Coleus 'MS Abbey Road' (Coleus scutellarioides 'Main Street Abbey Road') is an easy-to-grow plant for indoors, but also as an annual in the garden. Its dark, velvety, dentate, burgundy foliage with accents of anise green is highly decorative. Indoors, this variety will thrive in a bright living room or office. Its cultivation is accessible to all houseplant enthusiasts, even those with little experience.

The Coleus 'Duecolabro Abbey Road' belongs to the Lamiaceae family. This tropical perennial is mainly grown as an annual in the garden in temperate climates due to its sensitivity to frost, or as a houseplant. Its quadrangular, fleshy stems bear opposite, ovate to cordate leaves with dentate edges. The foliage displays remarkable colouring, with a burgundy to dark purple centre marginate and/or speckled with aniseed green. The discreet flowering takes the form of small tubular pale blue or white flowers, grouped in terminal spikes. These inflorescences are often removed to encourage foliage development.

Native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia, the wild species Coleus scutellarioides, also known by the synonyms Plectranthus scutellarioides, Solenostemon scutellarioides and Coleus blumei, thrives in shaded environments, benefiting from filtered light and a humid atmosphere. Introduced to Europe in the 19th century, it has since been widely hybridised to produce a vast range of cultivars with varied and colourful foliage.

When grown indoors, the Coleus 'Abbey Road' requires bright light without direct sun exposure to preserve the intensity of its colours. An ambient temperature between 18 and 24°C is ideal, with moderate air humidity. The substrate should be rich, well-drained and kept slightly moist; regular watering is therefore necessary, whilst avoiding excess water which could lead to root rot. It is also recommended to pinch the stem tips to encourage a denser, bushier growth.

You can place the Coleus ‘MS Abbey Road’ in a bright living room, conservatory, or even an office, as long as it can benefit from abundant light without direct sun exposure. With its bushy and compact habit, it is decorative on a console, shelf, or coffee table. Pair it with white ceramic pots or wicker planters. Mix it with other Coleus to create a small, colourful jungle.