Coleus scutellarioides ‘Stained Glassworks Magnificent Mile’

Origin of Coleus scutellarioides ‘Stained Glassworks Magnificent Mile’

‘Stained Glassworks Magnificent Mile’ is the selection ‘UF19-40-7’ in the Stained Glassworks coleus group.

Its species, Coleus scutellarioides, comes from wet tropical regions extending from Indo-China through parts of tropical Asia and the western Pacific to northern Australia. Modern coleus breeding draws on this natural variation to create distinctive foliage patterns and branching habits.

Looking after ‘Stained Glassworks Magnificent Mile’

• Light: Give strong filtered light indoors to keep the vigorous growth compact. Acclimatise any direct sun in stages rather than moving soft indoor foliage straight into harsh exposure.
• Water: Its full canopy can use water quickly in warm bright conditions. Rewater when the upper part of the mix begins to dry and the pot becomes lighter, then drain excess thoroughly.
• Substrate: Choose an airy houseplant mix that balances moisture retention with fast drainage. Keep the stem base above a persistently wet surface and use a pot with an open drainage hole.
• Warmth and humidity: Keep it above roughly 15 °C and away from cold draughts. Average household humidity is normally enough; avoid combining stagnant air with constantly damp foliage.
• Feeding: Apply a complete fertiliser at moderate strength during active growth. Scale it back when shorter days slow the plant.
• Shape: This is a vigorous upright-and-spreading cultivar. If it becomes larger than the available space, shorten selected leading shoots above a node and leave enough foliage to support the new side growth.
• Repotting and winter: Repot when roots crowd the container or you need to water much more often than before. In cooler, darker months, allow a little more drying between waterings and do not try to maintain summer growth through winter.

Common problems on ‘Magnificent Mile’

• Stems extend rapidly and the lower canopy opens: Weak indoor light is the first factor to correct. Increase brightness and then shorten only the shoots that remain out of proportion.
• Pink or orange sections develop bleached, papery patches: Affected areas on the brightest side are typical of sudden sun scorch. Reduce the harsh exposure and acclimatise the plant before giving it direct sun again.
• Leaves collapse while the mix remains heavy and wet: Check the root zone rather than adding more water. Cut soft rotten roots or stem tissue back to firm healthy growth with a disinfected blade, discard the removed material and repot or restart the healthy portion in a clean, airy mix.
• Leaf undersides show stippling, fine webbing or moving specks: Spider mites are likely. Isolate the plant, wash the foliage thoroughly and use an indoor-plant treatment labelled for mites if needed, repeating only as the label directs.
• Angular brown patches spread with grey-purple growth beneath: Suspect coleus downy mildew. Separate the plant, remove heavily affected foliage, improve airflow and avoid keeping the leaves continually wet; discard severe cases.

Coleus scutellarioides ‘Stained Glassworks Magnificent Mile’ 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.

Why is it called Coleus scutellarioides?

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.