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

Etymology

Origin of coleus

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

coleus coleuses

The coleus — Proven Winners’ Colorblaze Rediculous — are chosen for their leaves, a deep red burgundy shade almost identical to the Barn’s color.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 2025

Coral Candy Coleus, the first coleus grown from seed selected as an AAS Winner, is uniformly compact and has unique narrow, serrated, multicolored leaves.

From Seattle Times ● May 8, 2024

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

On June 22, the first day the rules that expanded outdoor dining went into effect, she went to a garden store in Nassau County for potted palms, New Guinea impatiens, purple coleus and artificial turf.

From New York Times ● Jul. 9, 2020

Can you imagine anything more jarring and inconsistent than cannas, castor-oil beans, coleus, and nasturtiums in a prim setting of box?

From The Garden, You, and I by Wright, Mabel Osgood

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

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 Bailey, L. H. (Liberty Hyde)