Solenostemon ColorBlaze Mini Me Watermelon

The Coleus ColorBlaze Mini Me Watermelon is part of a series of selected Plectranthus known for their increased sun tolerance and late or non-existent flowering. Additionally, it is a compact and highly branched cultivar. Mini Me Watermelon features thin, elongated leaves with a green apple border. The leaves appear more burgundy in shade and coral pink in direct sunlight. This variety has a moderate vigor and a well-defined upright habit. Coleus plants are frost-sensitive and can be grown as indoor plants or as annuals in gardens to decorate balconies and terraces. They are also highly appreciated in seasonal compositions and contemporary decor. Their exotic charm is striking, and they require little maintenance, thriving in partially shaded areas with moist soil.

Coléus, also known as Solenostemon (recently renamed Plectranthus), are plants related to basil and nettle. They belong to the Lamiaceae family, as indicated by their small two-lipped flowers, fleshy square stems, and dentate and villous leaves on the underside. This genus comprises around sixty species of tender perennial shrubs native to Asia and tropical Africa. Horticulture has given rise to numerous hybrids and cultivars, including many descendants of Solenostemon scutellarioides.

The Coleus ColorBlaze Mini Me Watermelon forms an upright, dense, and rounded clump, reaching about 30 cm (12in) in all directions in a single season. The leaves are elongated and deeply lobed. Their lamina is a coral pink colour, resembling watermelon. The flowering, which is late and highly unpredictable in this selection, is discreet. It occasionally occurs towards the end of the season, with small pale mauve-blue flowers. It is often recommended to remove these flowers so that the plants do not exhaust themselves producing seeds and can maintain abundant foliage.

Coleus, sometimes referred to as "painted nettles" due to their incredibly diverse foliage, are irreplaceable for adding a touch of exotic beauty to any setting, both in the garden and indoors, where they can live for several years. They can be used to create small mosaic-like beds of colours and pair well with begonias in flower pots. The richness of their colours makes them somewhat challenging to pair with other plants; small ferns like Polypodium or purple wandering Jew (Tradescantia pallida) are good companions for Coleus. For 'Mini Me Watermelon', consider small perennials with a green apple colour that resembles its border, such as Heuchera Lime Marmalade or Carex oshimensis Everillo.

Note: Please be aware that our young plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners. Upon receipt, transplant and store them in protected areas (sunroom, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before placing them outdoors once the risk of frost has passed.