How to Grow Coleus 'Lime Rickey'

Coleus 'Lime Rickey'

Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Lime Rickey'

flower

Coleus 'Lime Rickey' is a vibrant foliage plant prized for its striking lime-green and dark burgundy variegated leaves with deeply serrated edges. This tender perennial is grown as an annual in most climates and serves as a dramatic accent plant in gardens and containers. It reaches 12-18 inches tall and is valued primarily for its exceptional foliage rather than its inconspicuous flowers.

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Example Coleus 'Lime Rickey' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Coleus 'Lime Rickey'
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Coleus 'Lime Rickey' blooms
Around May 17

≈ 30 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Coleus 'Lime Rickey' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Bright, indirect light; 4-6 hours of filtered sun daily. Tolerates partial shade but colors are most vibrant in bright light. Avoid direct afternoon sun in hot climates, which can fade colors and scorch foliage.

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water when top inch of soil feels dry. In containers, check daily during hot weather. Reduce watering in winter. Drought stress causes wilting and leaf drop.

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Spacing: 12 inches

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Days to maturity: 30-45 days to reach aesthetic maturity; continuous growth throughout season

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Planting depth: Surface sow seeds or plant transplants at same depth as root ball; seeds need light to germinate

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil with organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Peat moss or coco coir Perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 10-11; grow as an annual or container plant in cooler zones

10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings with first true leaves emerging, showing initial color patterns of lime and burgundy

Keep soil consistently moist under bright, indirect light. Maintain 70-75°F. Avoid damping off with good air circulation. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding.

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Rapid leaf development with increasingly vibrant color variegation. Plant becomes bushier as more leaf nodes develop

Pinch growing tips regularly to encourage branching and fullness. Fertilize weekly with balanced liquid fertilizer. Maintain consistent moisture and bright light. Remove any flower spikes to redirect energy to foliage.

Mature Foliage

8-12 weeks or until end of season

Full, bushy plant with dense coverage of lime-green and burgundy variegated leaves at peak color intensity

Continue regular pinching to maintain shape and fullness. Fertilize every 2 weeks to sustain vibrant colors. Maintain consistent watering schedule. Monitor for pests, particularly spider mites and whiteflies in indoor conditions.

Flowering

Ongoing if not pinched back

Delicate small purple or blue flowers appear on terminal spikes; not ornamentally significant on this cultivar

Pinch off flower spikes as they form to maintain focus on foliage production and plant shape. Flowering can reduce leaf vigor and color intensity.

End of Season / Overwintering

Variable, until first frost in temperate zones

Plant begins to decline in cool weather; colors may fade if temperatures drop below 50°F

In zones 10-11, protect from temperature drops below 50°F. In colder zones, take cuttings for propagation before first frost. Reduce watering and fertilizing. Bring potted plants indoors before frost.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Caladiums Impatiens Begonias Dusty Miller Fuchsias Sweet Potato Vine Hostas

Avoid planting near:

Highly aggressive vines Deep-rooted drought-tolerant plants that compete for water

Common Pests

Increase humidity, mist foliage regularly, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly. Isolate affected plants indoors.
Use yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5-7 days. Improve air circulation and avoid overwatering.
Remove with rubbing alcohol on cotton swabs, spray with neem oil or horticultural oil. Isolate infested plants.
Prune heavily infested stems, treat with horticultural oil, apply insecticidal soap. Check regularly during warm months.
Ensure excellent drainage, allow soil to dry slightly between waterings, use well-draining potting mix, repot if signs appear.

Uses

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Ornamental edibility

Culinary

While not commonly eaten, coleus leaves are technically edible and have been used in traditional Southeast Asian cooking in some species. 'Lime Rickey' is primarily ornamental and not recommended for consumption without certainty of safety. [source]

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Container and landscape accent

Household

Exceptional as a dramatic focal point in mixed containers, annual beds, and borders. The striking lime-green and burgundy variegation provides season-long color without flowering. [source]

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Propagation and plant multiplication

Craft

Extremely easy to propagate from cuttings, making it ideal for hobbyists to create numerous plants. Cuttings root readily in water, making it perfect for propagation experiments and sharing with other gardeners. [source]

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Pollinator support

Wildlife

Though flowers are inconspicuous, coleus flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators if allowed to bloom. The dense foliage also provides shelter for beneficial insects. [source]

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Traditional herbal applications

Medicinal

Some coleus species have been used in traditional medicine for digestive and respiratory support, though 'Lime Rickey' is primarily an ornamental cultivar with limited documented medicinal use. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Coleus is grown for foliage, not harvested. Pinch stems regularly to encourage bushiness and prevent flowering. Cuttings can be harvested anytime during the growing season for propagation—take 3-4 inch stem tips and root in water or moist soil within 1-2 weeks. Before the first frost in cool climates, take multiple cuttings for indoor winter propagation.

Fun Facts

🌱 'Lime Rickey' gets its name from the classic lime-based cocktail, referencing its striking lime-green coloring mixed with contrasting deep burgundy.
🌱 Coleus can produce visible color changes in response to light levels—bright indirect light intensifies the lime and burgundy variegation, while lower light causes colors to become more muted.
🌱 Coleus is native to Indonesia and is part of the mint family (Lamiaceae), though it lacks the aromatic properties of culinary mints and is grown purely for spectacular foliage display.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Cultivar Damping Off Partial Shade Perennial True Leaves

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