Coleus scutellarioides ‘Main Street Park Avenue’

Part of the upright Main Street coleus series

‘Main Street Park Avenue’ is an upright Main Street cultivar from Dümmen Orange with a moderate growth rate. The series was bred for colourful foliage, branching growth and good performance in both sun and shade. Its species, Coleus scutellarioides, comes from warm, wet tropical regions extending from parts of mainland Asia through Malesia and the western Pacific to northern Australia.

Caring for ‘Main Street Park Avenue’

• Light: Keep it in strong daylight, ideally close to a bright window. Acclimatise direct sun gradually so the broad pink and burgundy areas do not bleach or turn papery.
• Water and substrate: The dense crown can hide the soil surface, so check the mix by touch. Water once the upper layer begins to dry, using a loose fertile substrate that holds some moisture but drains without staying sodden.
• Airflow and humidity: Normal to moderately humid room air is suitable. Because the broad leaves overlap closely, give the crown space and avoid routinely wetting the foliage.
• Warmth and winter: Keep the plant warm and away from cold draughts; prolonged temperatures below about 15 °C are best avoided. During winter or another low-light period, expect slower growth and lower water use.
• Feeding, pruning and support: Apply a modest complete feed while side shoots are expanding. Park Avenue branches densely, so shorten only stems that spoil the rounded outline; the compact upright crown does not normally require support.
• Repotting and propagation: Repot when root crowding makes moisture difficult to manage. Stem cuttings from healthy coloured shoots root easily and preserve the cultivar pattern.

Common problems with ‘Park Avenue’

• The rounded crown starts opening into long gaps: Weak light is the main suspect. Increase brightness gradually and pinch only the tallest established shoots after the plant is growing more strongly.
• The magenta centre turns pale and papery: Damage limited to the exposed side usually points to sun scorch. Give temporary protection, maintain even root moisture and use the appearance of new leaves to guide later acclimatisation.
• Tiny pale speckles, webbing or sticky residue appear inside the canopy: Check for mites, aphids, whiteflies or mealybugs rather than treating blindly. Isolate the plant and use a control labelled for the pest you actually find, following the stated repeat interval.
• The whole plant droops while the substrate is damp: Inspect the root system and lower stem before adding water. If you find soft brown tissue, cut back to firm healthy growth with a disinfected blade, discard the rotten material and repot or restart the healthy portion in fresh, airy substrate.

Coleus scutellarioides ‘Main Street Park Avenue’ 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.