Coleus forsteri 'Marginatus' is a variegated cultivar of a species that is native to the Southwest Pacific including Fiji and New Caledonia and is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is an attractive erect and spreading, herbaceous perennial that is known for its attractive variegated leaves that emit a mild citrus fragrance when bruised. In North Carolina, it is typically grown as a houseplant or annual bedding plant. 'Marginatus' prefers partial shade or dappled sunlight and dry to moist, well-drained, rich humus soil. As a houseplant, it should be placed in area with bright indirect light. It is hardy in USDA Zones 10 to 11 and is frost intolerant. Once established, it is drought and dry soils tolerant. It is best to avoid poorly drained clay soils. Pinching the stems will help keep its size compact. This plant can be propagated by stem cuttings in the spring or fall. This cultivar grows from 6 inches to 1 foot tall and spreads up to 3 feet. The leaves are bright green with creamy white edges and are round with scalloped margins. Its stems are reddish and erect, but they will begin to trail with age. Flowers appear during the summer months of June to July and are pale pink to white, tubular, and two-lipped. They are borne on 6 inch long racemes. As a houseplant, 'Marginatus' is attractive as a container planting or hanging basket. In warm climates, this plant could be grown as a perennial border or foundation planting. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect pests or disease problems. Monitor for mealybugs, scale, and mites. These plants can become aggressive in the garden in frost-free areas. Since the stems are easily broken, it is best to have the houseplant in a protected location.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Spreading
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green; Variegated; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Crenate
Leaf value
Fragrant
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves are scallop-edged, light green leaves, variegated with creamy white margins. The leaves measure 1.5 to 2.5 inches long and up to 1.5 inches wide. They may be hairless or hairy. The margins are crenate and has 3 to 6 pairs of scallops. The base of the leaf is somewhat cordate to wedge-shaped, and the apex is obtuse. The petiole measures up to 1.5 inches long.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower detail
The flowers are pale pink to white, tubular, two-lipped, and appear on 6-inch long racemes. The racemes can sometimes measure from 2.75 to 10 inches long and have 6 to 10 flowers. Blooms from June to July.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is tiny, dark brown, shiny, round nutlet. The nutlet measures up to 1mm in size.
Stem color
Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
The stems are reddish and upright. They will eventually lay down and trail along the ground or over the side of a container as they get older. The stems are slightly downy with long and short hairs. They can branch up to 2 feet long and are brittle and easily broken.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Play value
Fragrance
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Hanging Baskets; Houseplants; Naturalized Area
Design feature
Accent; Border; Foundation Planting; Mass Planting; Small groups