coleus

American  

[koh-lee-uhs] / ˈkoʊ li əs /

noun

• coleuses
  plural

1. any of several tropical Asian or African plants belonging to the genus Coleus, of the mint family, certain species of which are cultivated for their showy, colored foliage and blue flowers.

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coleus British  

/ ˈkəʊlɪəs /

noun

1. any plant of the Old World genus Coleus: cultivated for their variegated leaves, typically marked with red, yellow, or white: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• coleuses
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of coleus

1865–70; < New Latin < Greek koleós, variant of koleón sheath, scabbard; akin to conceal, hull ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

coleus coleuses

Bifano also is overseeing the planting of more than 500 special coleus plants around the large red barn — aptly named the Barn — on Streisand’s property.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 2025

Some annuals, such as geraniums, have a fighting chance, along with perennials such as coleus, hibiscus and oleanders, and even those more accustomed to tropical climates.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 30, 2021

A recent display of sun-tolerant coleus and dark-leaved dahlias greeted visitors at the front walk, while billowing containers filled with trailing million bells, petunias and fragrant heliotrope mounted the entry steps.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 27, 2021

Fast-rooting cuttings like coleus and sweet potato vine can be potted up to larger quarters, pinched and shaped to use as your own stock plants, to take more cuttings from in late winter.

From New York Times ● Sep. 16, 2020

In other varieties of coleus, in Perilla nankiensis, and other plants, we have foliage without a particle of green in it, and yet they are perfectly healthy.

From Scientific American, Volume XLIII., No. 25, December 18, 1880 A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures. by Various

There is abundant opportunity along the borders for dropping in cannas, dahlias, hollyhocks, asters, geraniums, coleuses, and other brilliant plants.

From Manual of Gardening (Second Edition) by L. H. (Liberty Hyde) Bailey

Begin to propagate greenhouse plants by cuttings; also coleuses by cuttings in heat, potting them off as soon as rooted.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 7 "Horticulture" to "Hudson Bay" by Various

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