Coleus, Flame Nettle, Painted Nettle 'Alabama Sunset'

Coleusscutellarioides

Family
Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Coleus (KO-lee-us)
Species
scutellarioides (skew-tell-ar-ee-OH-ih-deez)
Synonym
Solenostemon scutellarioides
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Partial to Full Shade
Full Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color
Light Blue
Inconspicuous/none
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Annuals
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual
Suitable for growing in containers
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From leaf cuttings
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Auburn, Alabama

Irvington, Alabama

Pelham, Alabama

Clayton, California

San Jose, California

Vallejo, California

Glastonbury, Connecticut

Bartow, Florida

Brandon, Florida

Daytona Beach, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

Keystone Heights, Florida

Lakeland, Florida

Ocala, Florida

Riverview, Florida

Winter Springs, Florida

Roswell, Georgia

Winterville, Georgia

Des Plaines, Illinois

Divernon, Illinois

Delmar, Iowa

South Amana, Iowa

Hebron, Kentucky

Denham Springs, Louisiana

Laurel, Maryland

Morrice, Michigan

Marlton, New Jersey

New York City, New York

Sunnyside, New York

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Meshoppen, Pennsylvania

Cross, South Carolina

Gainesboro, Tennessee

Mc Donald, Tennessee

Garland, Texas

Kilgore, Texas

Rowlett, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Snook, Texas

Springdale, Utah

Newport News, Virginia

Belfair, Washington

Muscoda, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

9
positives
0
neutral
0
negative
Sort By:
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H
Auburn, AL (Zone 8a) | May 2012 | positive

In Alabama this coleus seems to have yellow bowties coming from the red portion of the plant, absolutely my favorite coleus as it is als...Read More

P
Auburn Four Corners, PA (Zone 5a) | May 2010 | positive

'Alabama Sunset' should be one of the top 10 coleus. Lime green and dusky red are a great color combination, and the plant grows beautifu...Read More

D
Saskatoon, SK (Zone 3a) | September 2008 | positive

In 2008, I grew this in a container in partial shade. One little 3" bedding plant grew into a massive mini-shrub of foliage with brillia...Read More

M
Morrice, MI | October 2005 | positive

I like the height and color of Alabama Sunset and you could not have an easier plant to make cuttings. It grows way better than most seed...Read More

S
Gold Hill, OR (Zone 7a) | August 2005 | positive

This coleus has great color contrast ... the lime green agaist the dusty red is fantastic. Not to mention watching the lime green turn i...Read More

J
Muscoda, WI (Zone 4b) | January 2005 | positive

Alabama Sunset (AKA Texas Parking Lot) is a wonderful cultivar. Its color is striking, its growth habit, in my experience, requires very...Read More

S
Taylor Creek, FL (Zone 10a) | November 2004 | positive

This Plant does well with part sun and has gone bonkers in large mass planting. Leaves are big and plants are 30" high on South side of h...Read More

M
Bartow, FL (Zone 9a) | July 2004 | positive

This variety is easily grown in central Florida, and is most striking when planted with several together. Goes well with one of the char...Read More

R
(Judith) Denver, CO (Zone 5b) | July 2004 | positive

Coleus is so easy to grow that even a beginner can successfully produce a beautiful plant. I've started these from seed, but they have n...Read More

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