Coleus scutellarioides 'Le Freak'

Origin and botanical background of Coleus scutellarioides 'Le Freak'

The species is native from Southeast Asia through Malesia to northern Australia and parts of the western Pacific. Wild forms occupy warm forest edges, open woodland and moist disturbed ground, where seasonal rain supports soft rapid growth. Light varies from bright gaps to partial shelter among surrounding herbs and shrubs.

Pinching, light and watering for coleus

Watering

Water Coleus scutellarioides ‘Le Freak’ when the upper layer of the substrate begins to dry, before the fine root ball becomes hard. Thin leaves and soft stems have little water reserve, so severe dryness causes rapid collapse and lower-leaf loss.

Temperature

Soft stems and thin leaves react quickly to cold wet conditions.

Light

Place Coleus scutellarioides ‘Le Freak’ directly beside an east or west window, or near a south window with the strongest midday sun screened. Deep shade produces long weak gaps and smaller leaves; abrupt hot exposure can bleach or scorch the thin surface.

Humidity and airflow

Ordinary household humidity is generally sufficient for Coleus scutellarioides ‘Le Freak’. Moderate indoor humidity can reduce dry edges in heated rooms; very high humidity is unnecessary.

Fertilising

Apply a complete foliage fertiliser at the low end of the product-label rate while Coleus scutellarioides ‘Le Freak’ is producing leaves and branches. Increase only within the labelled range when strong light supports vigorous growth, and rinse accumulated salts from the pot periodically.

Repotting

Repot Coleus scutellarioides ‘Le Freak’ when roots fill the base, watering becomes exceptionally frequent, stems lift or the mix compacts. Select a container only slightly wider.

Coleus ‘Le Freak’ growth problems

The leaves look deeply cut and feathery

Long, narrow blades with sharply divided edges are the defining shape of ‘Le Freak’, not chewing damage. Fresh holes, missing sections, slime or droppings indicate an actual feeder. Compare both sides of a suspect leaf before treating the normal lace-like outline.

Red and yellow growth becomes long and sparse

Insufficient light stretches the stems and opens the normally full canopy. Move the plant into brighter light in stages and pinch healthy tips to encourage branching. Strong afternoon sun can bleach or scorch the finely cut tissue, so acclimatise rather than moving it abruptly.

The feathery leaves wilt

Dry mix and firm stems call for prompt, even watering; wet mix with continued wilt suggests damaged roots or a soft stem base. Check before adding water. A healthy plant should regain tension, while blackening at soil level needs immediate salvage of clean tip cuttings.

A flower spike appears above the foliage

Flowering is normal and ‘Le Freak’ is selected to bloom relatively late. Leave the spike for flowers or pinch it out if foliage and branching are the priority. A flowering stem that is otherwise firm is not evidence that the plant is dying.

The soft stem turns dark at the soil line

A dark, narrowed soil-line stem is active basal rot. Cut firm shoots well above the boundary, discard the collapsing base and replace saturated substrate. Root several clean tips because a stem already narrowed through cannot recover from below.

Coleus scutellarioides ‘Le Freak’ is non-toxic to cats and dogs

• This plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
• Its effects on people are unclear, so keep it away from young children who may chew it.
• Eating a large amount can still cause an upset stomach. Seek medical or veterinary advice if symptoms continue.

What does the name Coleus scutellarioides mean?

The name Coleus comes from the Greek word koleos, meaning “sheath”, and refers to the stamens joined at their base. The species name scutellarioides means “resembling Scutellaria”, another genus in the mint family.

João de Loureiro established the genus Coleus in 1790 in Flora Cochinchinensis, page 372.

Carl Linnaeus first described it as Ocimum scutellarioides in 1763 in Species Plantarum, second edition, page 834. George Bentham later placed it in Coleus as Coleus scutellarioides in 1830 in Plantae Asiaticae Rariores, volume 2, page 16.