COLEUS Coleus – Downtown Royalty

Description

Coleus ‘Downtown Royalty’ (Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘Downtown Royalty’)
Coleus ‘Downtown Royalty’ is a bold, heat-tolerant stunner with vibrant hot pink-magenta centres edged in deep purple-black, creating eye-catching bicolour foliage. This compact, well-branched plant reaches 40–90 cm tall and 30–60 cm wide, delivering dense, bushy colour all season long. As a foliage star, it shines without flowers (pinch any that appear to keep the focus on the leaves).
Growing Conditions (Western Cape & Nationwide Shipping):
Light: Part sun to part shade best (morning sun + afternoon shade prevents colour fade). Tolerates full sun in milder areas; provide extra shade in very hot summer-rainfall regions (e.g., Gauteng/KZN).
Soil: Well-drained, fertile, organic-rich (compost-amended); slightly acidic to neutral pH. Add perlite/vermiculite for containers or heavy soils.
Water: Evenly moist but not soggy—regular during establishment and dry spells. Mulch to retain moisture; avoid waterlogging.
Temperature & Climate: Loves warmth (15–38°C); frost-tender. Protect or treat as annual in cooler Western Cape spots; heat-tolerant once established across SA.
Maintenance: Pinch tips for bushiness. Low fertiliser—balanced, low-phosphorus feed sparingly in growing season.
What makes ‘Downtown Royalty’ special is its extreme heat tolerance, excellent branching, and vivid colour that performs nationwide—from Cape winds to inland summers. It attracts butterflies, suits containers, borders, or mass plantings, and brings easy tropical flair with minimal effort. A fast, reliable way to brighten any space!