Coleus scutellarioides ‘Main Street Bourbon Street’

Species origin and series background

Within Dümmen Orange’s Main Street collection, Bourbon Street is the cultivar with near-solid maroon-to-burgundy foliage and a bright lime outline. These colours result from ornamental selection within Coleus scutellarioides.

The species originates across the warmer regions of Asia and extends into northern Australia, where coleus grows as a tender herbaceous perennial. Soft paired leaves emerge along square, branching stems, and those stems produce Bourbon Street’s dense foliage.

Caring for Bourbon Street

• Light: Keep this dark-leaved coleus in very bright light, approximately 20,000–40,000 lux. Strong filtered light supports dense growth and its burgundy colour; acclimatise it before allowing direct sun.
• Watering: Allow between one quarter and two fifths of the substrate to dry, then soak and drain the container. Prevent repeated severe wilting and prolonged saturation.
• Climate: Maintain 18–25 °C, shield it from temperatures under 10 °C and delay outdoor placement until nights are reliably near 15 °C. Cold, wet soil is especially risky for the soft stems.
• Substrate: A fertile mix with aeration and a moderate moisture reserve supports dense branching. Repot once the root system fills the pot or the plant begins drying too quickly to manage.
• Nutrition: Use a complete foliage fertiliser at a moderate rate through active growth. Ease off as days darken or stems stop extending.
• Pruning: Cut or pinch just above a node to encourage side shoots and maintain a full shape. Remove flowers if you prefer a foliage-focused display.
• Cleaning and acclimatisation: Dust or rinse the scalloped leaves gently and skip leaf-shine products. Increase sun, wind and outdoor exposure over several days to avoid pale scorch patches.

When Bourbon Street has problems

• Dark leaves are fading green: A dim position can reduce contrast and stretch the stems. Increase light in stages; do not move a shade-grown plant directly into exposed midday sun.
• Plant collapses with dry soil: Water thoroughly and allow the excess to drain. Repeated wilting means checks are too far apart, particularly in warm outdoor conditions.
• Plant wilts while the mix is wet: Suspect poor root function from stagnant saturation. Stop watering, improve aeration and inspect roots and the lower stem for softness.
• Pale papery areas: These usually follow abrupt sun. Use temporary shade and let new leaves adapt gradually to the brighter setting.
• Black soft shoots: Cold exposure damages coleus quickly. Return it to warmth and prune to firm tissue only after the full extent is visible.
• Small distorted leaves or coloured growth underneath: Inspect for sucking pests and coleus downy mildew. Isolate the pot, avoid splashing, clean tools between plants and remove strongly affected material.

Handling Bourbon Street safely

Coleus scutellarioides can cause mild irritation. Contact with the leaves may irritate the skin, and repeated exposure can trigger an allergic red rash in sensitive people. Ingestion may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.

Keep the plant and discarded cuttings away from children and pets. Wear gloves if your skin reacts during pruning, then wash hands and tools. After human ingestion, contact a local poison centre for advice; after pet chewing, contact a veterinarian or animal poison service. Seek urgent help for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, breathing problems or collapse.

Meaning of Coleus

The Greek noun koleos, or “sheath”, supplied the genus name Coleus. It describes the staminal filaments joined around the style.