Coleus, Flame Nettle, Painted Nettle 'Velvet Lime'

The posted photo of this variety looks very similar to a coleus I have a LOT of. Here in central Florida (zone 9b) it is a perennial, ca...Read Moren grow to 6 feet tall if it has some support, and if it doesn't have support, the stems spread and root at the nodes to form large patches. It was here when I bought this house in March 2000, and I take lots of cuttings of it for very fast growing vigorous coleus for garden beds in my northwest garden for summer as well. I must have several hundred of these by now. It tends to stop growing much when nights get below 50 degrees F, but starts up again as soon as the weather warms up. Light frost can singe the plants, but they then resprout from the protected stems (as long as the main stems do not freeze solid). At least that is what I think is happening with it.

Absolutely wonderful coleus! Velvet lime grows quickly to a stunning 18+ inch, many branched coleus and is rated in the "large" size for...Read More coleus. It has beautiful dark purple leaves tinged with a bright green around the edges and they actually look like they're made from velvet. The photo I uploaded does not do it justice as it was taken on October 24th here in zone 5, after many cool to cold nights, some with frost. It is one of the few coleus that has withstood the weather so far.

A very beautiful coleus to mix with other types and colors. It did well in a 14" planter with 4 other types and provided the "backdrop." This one is on my "always grow" list!

I successfully grew cuttings from this coleus over the winter. Now, in April they're healthy and growing like crazy!