Coleus scutellarioides ‘Main Street Franklin Street’

Tropical origins and seasonal outdoor growth

Coleus scutellarioides is native across warm parts of Asia and northern Australia. It grows as a tender, branching perennial with opposite leaves and the square stems associated with the mint family. Franklin Street grows actively in warmth and is used outdoors in Europe during the warm season.

Maintaining compact coleus growth

• Light: Choose a very bright window position with filtered sun so the compact growth does not stretch. Franklin Street can take sun after slow acclimatisation, while a dim room encourages wider gaps between leaves.
• Water: Rewater once the surface and upper layer feel dry. Soak the root zone and let it drain; warm outdoor weather may require much more frequent checks than an indoor position.
• Temperature: Protect new coleus shoots from cold glass and abrupt night-time cooling.
• Potting mix: Use an airy, fertile blend with both moisture retention and reliable drainage. Increase the pot size when roots are crowded or rapid drying becomes difficult to manage.
• Fertiliser: Feed moderately while stems and leaves are growing strongly. Apply nutrients to already moist soil and reduce the rate during cool, low-light periods.
• Shape: Pinch a stem immediately above a leaf node when more branching is wanted. The cultivar is naturally upright, so remove only the growth needed to keep the chosen outline.
• Leaves and transitions: Clean the soft foliage without polish and inspect the undersides as you work. Introduce sun and outdoor wind in stages over several days.

Troubleshooting Coleus scutellarioides ‘Main Street Franklin Street’

The pink centre varies between leaves

Colour changes with leaf age, light and temperature. Healthy pattern stays within firm tissue. A moving wet boundary, black specks or repeated deformation is a better reason to investigate than a normal change in tone.

Stems lengthen and the canopy thins

Improve filtered light and cut selected shoots immediately above nodes where branching is wanted. If the whole plant has stalled, inspect the roots before feeding.

Sudden wilt develops

Test the mix rather than assuming thirst. Water a dry root ball completely; when the mix at the bottom of the pot remains wet, delay watering and inspect for root loss.

New leaves emerge spotted or distorted

Check both surfaces for aphids, whiteflies and mites, then isolate and treat only the pest identified. If wet-looking patches continue without pests, keep foliage dry and remove badly affected growth with clean tools.

Coleus scutellarioides ‘Main Street Franklin Street’ 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.

When was Coleus scutellarioides first published, and what does it 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.