Coleus is an annual flower that is a colorful classic with serrated leaves.

It is native to India and grows in the subtropical temperate climates of India, Nepal, Thailand and Sri Lanka.

Major coleus growing states of coleus are Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Liliopsida
• Order: Lamiales
• Family: Lamiaceae
• Genus: Coleus
• Species: forskohlii

Dried tuberous roots are the economic part, found to be rich source of an alkaloid called Forskolin.

Forskolin is the important base for many drugs developed for hypertension, glaucoma, asthma, congestive heart failures, weight management and certain types of cancers.

Leaves are employed in treating intestinal disorders and used as a condiment.

Coleus is a crop of tropics.

It prefers humid climate with a RH ranging from 60 to 85 per cent and a temperature range between 10-25˚C for its successful growth.

The annual rainfall in such areas ranges from 100 to 160 cm, mainly during June to September months.

It is also found to perform well in less humid and warmer regions when grown as an irrigated crop.

It thrives better in porous and well drained soils with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 7.

It does not require very fertile soils and can be economically grown even on the soils with marginal fertility.

The red sandy are ideal for the cultivation of this crop.

The major challenges involve Biotic and Abiotic causes.

• Biotic causes involve:
  • Major pest: Thrips, Mealy bug, Aphids, Cutworms and beetles.
  • Major Diseases: Fusarium wilt, Bacterial wilt, Root rot, Downy Mildew and Gray mold.
• Abiotic Causes:
  • Yellowish leaves, crinkling, wrinkling and chlorosis.