Hello,
I bought this tree at about 4 inches in height with smaller leaves at local Hamilton, Ontario agriculture fair a couple of years ago but it didn’t come with any information and I failed to ask the necessary questions.
Over the last 2 years, it has grown just over a foot and seems to be thriving indoors by the kitchen window which received morning sun with the house at a temp of about 21 year round.
It is standard house plant soil and I water it once a week, not saturated,
The branches seems to go in all different directions however to control it I have it clipped up.
I want to know how to best ensure the longevity of the plant and gain more information about it including it’s potential health, when to transplant it etc.
I have also created a baby plant from one of the branches, which i have also included and it’s grown at least an inch in the last month. I am not great with measurement so don’t quote me on it.
I have used google images and the plant finders and it tells me it’s a coleus however I have never been able to find a picture of my particular tree/plant.
Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for contacting Toronto Master Gardeners.
Congratulations, you do have a Coleus (Plectranthus), there are many varieties of Coleus, all are considered tropical annuals/houseplant in Canada or herbaceous perennials in Zone 10-11 . It is a widely used and loved annual in many gardens, and planters due to the choices of leaf colors, tolerance to shade, and quick growth not to mention the bushy growth habit. Coleus Varieties – You Tube
This website provides information on your Coleus. Coleus Care and Growing Information
To control its growth habit you can pinch the top growth off the plant where it will add side branches. As you have noticed you can take cuttings that are easily rooted for new plants. This You Tube Video provides care/propagating/pinching information Coleus Care
The photo shows a healthy Plectranthus, if you want to repot it our website provides details and information on container gardening. Container Gardening,
Or what to do if you want to take your Plectranthus outdoors Taking my Coleus Outdoors