How to grow and care for Coleus amboinicus Lour.
plant care guide about watering, fertilizing, trimming, repotting, cutting, propagating Coleus amboinicus Lour., Soup mint, French thyme, Country borage, Broad leaf thyme, Mexican thyme, Three-in-one herb, Mother of herbs, Greek oregano
Coleus amboinicus Lour. 101 - Plant Care Instructions
Bright indirect light
16C° ~24C°
Every 7 days
Botany Encyclopedia
Family : Lamiaceae
🎋 Stem
The stem has a square-shaped cross-section.
Genus : Coleus
🏝️ Habitat Conditions
This plant primarily grows in Southeast Asia and Africa. It thrives in warm and humid rainforest environments.
🪨 Soil Mix
When planting, it's best to use well-draining soil. Generally, mix 40% potting soil, 20% bark, 20% leaf mold, 10% perlite, and 10% charcoal. However, you can adjust the ratios based on the situation and environment.
🌡️ Environment
This plant thrives at temperatures between 20-25°C, with a minimum of 10°C. It can be at risk if temperatures drop below 7°C. Although it's a perennial, it is sensitive to cold and can be grown as an annual. Move it indoors during winter as it struggles to survive outdoors. Pay special attention to cold in winter. The ideal humidity is 40-70%, and it prefers a humid environment. Ensure good air circulation to prevent mold growth.
👀 Characteristics details
To grow a single-stemmed plant, rotate the pot frequently. Remove any side shoots that appear.
☀️ Light
Some plants thrive in direct sunlight, but most prefer prolonged exposure to indirect light. Be cautious, as insufficient light can cause leaf patterns to fade.
💧 Water
When the surface soil is dry, water the plant.
🌱 Propagate
Propagation is possible by separating and cutting the stem. For cuttings: 1. For water propagation, avoid using transparent containers. Place the stem in water, and once roots appear, use hydroponic fertilizer. When roots are 5-7 cm long, transfer to soil. 2. For soil propagation, plant deeply in soil without fertilizer. After cutting, avoid exposing to bright light. Gradually increase light exposure to help the plant adapt to gentle light. Maintain high humidity and a temperature of 18-25°C.
🪴 Repot
Repot healthy plants every 1-2 years in spring, as they tend to grow quickly.
💊 Fertilize
Use fertilizer at the recommended amount during spring and summer to encourage more vigorous growth.
🌺 Flower
The blooming period is from summer to fall. Reproductive growth becomes active and flowers bloom when the plant is stressed by temperature and moisture. After flowering, the plant may weaken and sometimes die.
😵 Toxicity
Be cautious with pets and young children as it is toxic.
water
How to water Coleus amboinicus Lour.
How often should I water?
check Coleus amboinicus Lour. Every 7 days if it needs water when it’s very cold (below 5℃), water less frequently
When do I need to water?
the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry
Light & Location
How much light does a Coleus amboinicus Lour. need?
Bright indirect light
Grow light
Light preference
Coleus amboinicus Lour. likes Bright indirect light, Grow light day. The brighter the space, the better this plant grows.
Check if there’s an optimal place in your house!
This plant prefers
2K ~ 10K lux to thrive!
0
20K~
2K
10K
Temperature
Natural habitat
-15
3~40℃
45
Houseplants
-15
16~24℃
45
Plants that grow in the wild and those that grow indoors prefer different temperatures. If you grow Coleus amboinicus Lour. at home, make sure the temperature is 16~24℃.
Humidity
Ideal humidity
0
40~70%
100
Coleus amboinicus Lour. prefers humidity about 40~70%. If necessary, increase humidity by misting, humidifier.
Fertilize
Collective Knowhow
When should I fertilize?
Only when your plant is healthy
How frequently should I fertilize?
1-2 times in growing season. A pinch for a small pot.
Characteristic
The taxonomic classification of Coleus amboinicus Lour. is as follows. - Kingdom: Plantae, Phylum: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Lamiales, Family: Lamiaceae, Genus: Coleus, Species: Coleus amboinicus
| Characteristic Name | Characteristic Value |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | Perennial |
| Taxonomy Name | Taxonomy Value |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Coleus |
| Species | Coleus amboinicus |
Is Coleus amboinicus Lour. toxic?
Coleus amboinicus Lour. is dangerous to Cat
Cat
Is your plant sick?
Track what happened. We’ll let you know the cause and treatment shortly!
1:1 Expert Help
You’ll get professional feedback within 24 hours from an expert on our team.
feedback will include