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Coleus Alligator Alley
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€12,10 EUR
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Coleus Alligator Alley is a selected cultivar of Plectranthus scutellarioides from the Main Street® breeding programme, bred for high‑contrast burgundy centres with bright chartreuse margins and improved sun tolerance. An upright, compact bedding/container plant that keeps a mounding habit indoors with regular pinching, it suits gardeners wanting bold foliage in sunnier spots but is mildly toxic to pets and can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive people.
- height Height
- 20 cm
- swap_horiz Pot Size
- 12 cm
- volunteer_activism Care
- Easy
- wb_sunny Light Needs
- Indirect light
- pets Not Pet Friendly
- water_drop Watering Needs
- Medium
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Plant care at a glance
| Care factor | Coleus Alligator Alley |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Plectranthus scutellarioides |
| Common name | coleus, painted nettle, painter's‑palette coleus, and Alligator Alley (trade/cultivar name) |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Light | Indirect light |
| Water | Medium |
| Humidity | Medium |
| Pet safe | No, toxic if ingested |
| Growth habit | Upright and Bushy |
Sun-tolerant bi-colour coleus with chartreuse margins
This selection leads with its novel, high-contrast foliage: deep burgundy to chocolate centres rimmed by bright chartreuse‑to‑lime margins. Leaves are broadly ovate with crenate (serrated) edges, giving a bold, graphic silhouette that reads well in groups or as a single container specimen. You’ll notice the colour contrast from a distance and finer serration and texture up close.
As a selected cultivar from the Main Street® breeding programme (often listed with breeder code UF17‑48‑3), Coleus Alligator Alley keeps foliage front and centre by delaying heavy flowering — so mature plants maintain dense, well‑branched mounding form rather than sending energy to blooms early. It stays compact and upright while producing new, richly coloured leaves; the cultivar was specifically bred to tolerate brighter light than many traditional coleus.
In everyday care you’ll find it an adaptable container or patio plant: it prefers evenly moist, well‑drained soil and moderate humidity, and it responds well to regular pinching to encourage branching. One honest limitation: leaves and sap can irritate sensitive skin and the species is considered mildly toxic to pets if chewed, so place it where children and animals can’t nibble.
Best for patios, bright windowsills or colourful mixed containers, this listing ships as a medium (P12, H20) pot that gives immediate presence on a shelf or balcony. Compared with standard bedding coleus, Alligator Alley offers stronger sun tolerance and longer-lasting margin variegation, making placement in sunnier spots more feasible.
Shipping Information
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- All orders are subject to a €25 minimum order value requirement
- All orders are hand-picked and shipped from the Netherlands
- Plastic-free materials when possible
- Orders are usually processed in 1-3 working days and shipped via DPD and their international partner carriers
- At times, orders may take up to 7 days to ship
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Coleus Alligator Alley
Size: Medium - P12 H20
Plant questions, answered
What makes Coleus 'Alligator Alley' different from other coleus cultivars?
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Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Alligator Alley' is a selected cultivar with bold bi‑color leaves — deep burgundy centres and bright chartreuse/lime margins — bred for enhanced sun tolerance. It was developed in the Main Street® breeding program (breeder code UF17‑48‑3) and delays flowering so foliage remains the primary ornamental feature, making it more durable in beds and containers.
Where can I place Alligator Alley — does it need shade or sun?
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Partial shade; tolerant of brighter light than many coleus. 'Alligator Alley' was bred for unusually high sun tolerance and can handle sunnier spots than traditional shade coleus, though very hot, intense afternoon sun may still cause some leaf fading. Use morning sun or filtered light for the best, longest‑lasting colour in containers or beds.
Is this coleus safe for homes with pets or children?
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No — Plectranthus scutellarioides ('Alligator Alley') is considered mildly toxic. Species‑level evidence shows compounds that can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested and contact dermatitis in sensitive people. Keep the plant out of reach of pets and children, avoid ingestion, and wear gloves if you have sensitive skin or handle it often.
What size will I receive if I order the Medium (P12 H20) option?
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You will receive the Medium — P12 H20 variant: a plant shipped in a 12 cm pot with an approximate plant height of 20 cm. This size reflects a compact, well‑branched, upright‑to‑mounding habit suited to small containers, patio pots or as a bedding starter for borders.
Will Alligator Alley flower, and will flowers affect the foliage display?
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It’s bred to delay flowering so the coloured foliage remains the main show. 'Alligator Alley' may still produce flowers later in the season, but breeding reduces early bloom. If you prefer stronger leaf growth and branching, pinch or remove flower spikes — that redirects energy into foliage and keeps the plant looking fuller.
Is Alligator Alley a rare collector's plant or easy to find?
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It’s a modern, commercially bred cultivar from the Main Street® series and not an extreme rarity. Gardeners and designers prize it for sun‑tolerant, high‑contrast margin variegation; availability can vary seasonally between growers, but it’s generally sold through wholesale and retail channels rather than being a limited‑edition collector specimen.
Plant care guide
Light
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Bright, indirect light to partial shade is ideal. This cultivar is bred for unusually good sun tolerance and can handle stronger light than many coleus, but avoid the hottest, most intense afternoon sun in very warm sites to prevent leaf scorch.
Water
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Moderate watering — keep the compost evenly moist for best foliage colour but avoid waterlogging. Water more frequently in hot weather and allow the top layer to begin to dry between thorough waterings.
Soil and repotting
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Use a free‑draining, fertile potting mix; coleus likes evenly moist but well‑drained soil. Repot into a slightly larger container in spring if rootbound, refreshing the compost to restore nutrients.
Humidity and temperature
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Prefers moderate humidity and will tolerate typical outdoor bedding humidity; avoid very dry indoor air. Tender to frost — grow as an annual in cool climates or keep frost‑free as a potted specimen.
Feeding
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Feed moderately during the active growing season with a balanced liquid fertiliser or slow‑release granules following the product directions to support strong foliage growth; reduce feeding in autumn/winter for indoor plants.
Growth and support
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Upright to mounding, well‑branched and compact; no staking or climbing support needed. Pinch growing tips to encourage bushier branching and prolong foliage display.
Common concerns
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- Leaf colour fading: In very harsh sun some coleus can bleach — this cultivar is bred for improved sun tolerance but protect from the very hottest afternoon sun in warm sites.
- Pests (sap feeders): Aphids, whiteflies and spider mites can appear on indoor or sheltered plants — inspect regularly and treat early with soap spray or insecticidal options suitable for ornamental plants.
- Contact dermatitis: Sensitive people may develop skin irritation after repeated handling — wear gloves and wash skin after prolonged contact.
Pet safety
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Treat as toxic to pets and a potential irritant to people. Contains diterpenoid/essential‑oil compounds that can cause gastrointestinal upset if eaten and contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Keep out of reach of children and pets, retain labels, and wash hands after handling.
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