Coleus is a popular houseplant grown for its colorful, striped leaves. There are hundreds of cultivars of coleus, so there is one for almost every garden. The Main Street Ruby Road coleus is one of the most beautiful. Its leaves are a stunning mix of red, burgundy, and green. This article will tell you everything you need to know to grow and take care of this beautiful coleus.
Overview of Main Street Ruby Road Coleus
Main Street Ruby Road is a patented coleus cultivar bred by Ball FloraPlant as part of their Main Street series. This series features compact bushy coleus ideal for containers bedding, and edging.
Main Street Ruby Road forms a mounded shape reaching 14-22 inches tall and wide. Its medium-green leaves are heavily blotched with brilliant ruby-red centers and dark burgundy margins This striking color combination makes it a real standout in the garden
Unlike some coleus that require shade, Main Street Ruby Road can tolerate partial sun, especially when temperatures are not extreme. Its relatively small size also makes it suitable for dish gardens, window boxes, and mixed containers.
Growing Main Street Ruby Road Coleus
The Main Street Ruby Road coleus does best in soil that stays moist but drains well. It prefers soil enriched with organic matter like compost. Maintain a soil pH between 6. 0-7. 0 for best results.
This coleus grows well in part sun to part shade. It would like some relief from the hot afternoon sun in hot southern climates. Leaves often look their best when they get sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon.
Space transplants 12-15 inches apart in the garden. Pinch back tips periodically to encourage bushy growth. Remove any flower stalks as they appear to promote more foliage production.
Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid overwatering. Stress from drought makes plants wilt and leaves burn, while too much water causes root rot. Every three to four weeks while the plant is growing, use a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Propagating Main Street Ruby Road Coleus
Main Street Ruby Road coleus is easy to propagate from stem cuttings. In late summer, cut healthy stem tips 4-6 inches long. Remove the bottom leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
Insert the cuttings in moist potting mix, sand, or vermiculite. Enclose the pot in a plastic bag to increase humidity as the cuttings root. Roots should emerge in 2-3 weeks.
You can also start Main Street Ruby Road coleus from seed indoors 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost. Sow seeds on the surface of moist potting soil and maintain a temperature around 70°F until germination.
Tips for Growing Main Street Ruby Road Coleus
Here are some key tips to get the most out of Main Street Ruby Road coleus in your garden:
- Pinch frequently to encourage bushy growth
- Remove flower stalks as they appear
- Water early in the day to allow foliage to dry
- Turn plants periodically for even sun exposure
- Feed every 3-4 weeks during the growing season
- Bring indoors before temps drop below 45°F
- Propagate new plants from cuttings in late summer
Using Main Street Ruby Road Coleus in the Garden
With its vibrant ruby, burgundy, and green foliage, Main Street Ruby Road coleus provides an easy way to add striking color contrast to garden beds and containers.
Use it singly as a focal point in the garden, allowing the colorful leaves to take center stage. It also combines beautifully with other sun-loving annuals like petunias, marigolds, zinnias, and verbena.
Try underplanting Main Street Ruby Road coleus with white or silver foliage plants like dusty miller. This creates a nice color echo that highlights the coleus.
Let it spill over the edges of a mixed container or window box combined with calibrachoa, sweet potato vine, and trailing lobelia. The coleus adds height and dazzling color.
Main Street Ruby Road coleus can also be quite effective repeats planted in rows along a garden path or edging a sidewalk or deck.
Potential Problems with Main Street Ruby Road Coleus
When provided with appropriate growing conditions, Main Street Ruby Road coleus is relatively trouble-free. However, there are some potential problems to watch for:
- Wilting from underwatering
- Leaf scorch from too much sun
- Leggy, weak growth from insufficient light
- Flowering, which diminishes leaf production
- Aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and whiteflies
- Botrytis blight, particularly in cool, wet weather
- Root rot from overwatering
Catch issues early and address them promptly. Pinching frequently, practicing good sanitation, and providing adequate air circulation will help prevent many problems.
Overwintering Main Street Ruby Road Coleus
Main Street Ruby Road coleus is not hardy below 45°F and is grown as an annual in all but the warmest climates. However, you can overwinter it indoors to save plants from year to year.
In fall, take 4-6 inch stem tip cuttings as described for propagation. Place them in pots filled with moist potting soil. Keep the cuttings warm and humid until roots form.
You can also pot up entire plants, cutting them back by about 1/3. Move them to a bright, cool spot indoors near a sunny window. Reduce watering in winter but don’t allow plants to dry out completely.
In spring, prune the plants back again just before new growth emerges. Then gradually increase watering and move the plants outdoors once temperatures have warmed. These overwintered coleus will quickly grow into lush, vibrant plants.
Enjoying the Spectacular Colors of Main Street Ruby Road Coleus
If you’re looking for an easy-care plant that packs a punch of vibrant color, it’s hard to beat Main Street Ruby Road coleus. This compact variety combines brilliant red, burgundy, and green leaves for captivating contrast. Use it as a focal point in beds and containers or along pathways and borders. Just be sure to give it partial sun, pinching, and adequate water for lush growth. With its electrifying foliage, Main Street Ruby Road coleus will not fade into the background!
Plants to Avoid
While its tempting to mix and match, some plants just don’t play well together. Plants that need a lot of water or full sun should be kept away from your Coleus because they can take its nutrients. This can lead to stress for your Coleus, hindering its growth and vibrancy.
With the right companions, you can make a beautiful garden that shows off the beauty of Coleus Main Street Ruby Road while also making sure all of your plants do well together. Now that you know a lot about companion planting, let’s look at how dangerous this beautiful plant might be for both people and animals.
Top 5 Benefits
Coleus Main Street Ruby Road is not just a pretty face in the garden; it offers a multitude of benefits that make it a must-have for any plant enthusiast.
This plant brings vibrant colors to your garden and containers, creating a lively atmosphere. Its rich hues can brighten up any space, making it a favorite among gardeners.
Beyond its beauty, Coleus helps improve indoor air quality. It absorbs toxins, making your home a healthier place to live.
Coleus is a magnet for pollinators and beneficial insects. By planting it, you encourage natural pest control, which is a win for your garden ecosystem.
Whether you’re designing borders, filling containers, or creating mixed plantings, Coleus fits right in. Its adaptability allows for creative landscaping options.
In various cultures, Coleus symbolizes prosperity and good fortune. Adding this plant to your collection can bring a sense of positivity and good vibes.
These benefits make Coleus Main Street Ruby Road a valuable addition to any garden. Next, let’s explore the best companion plants that enhance its growth and beauty.
Main Street Coleus at Young’s Trial Garden
FAQ
Is Main Street coleus a perennial or annual?
Hardy in USDA zones 10-11, coleus is a tender perennial but is most often grown as an annual. Since coleus are sensitive to cooler temperatures, they will only come back the following year in the warmest regions.
How do you care for Ruby Road coleus?
Painted Nettle Plant Best in bright indirect light with moist soil. Water thoroughly and repeat when the top half-inch of soil has dried. Pinch out flower buds immediately to encourage the mother plant to thrive and prune back if the plant becomes leggy.
Do coleus prefer sun or shade?
Coleus plants are known for their adaptability, thriving in both sun and shade, but newer varieties are more sun-tolerant than older ones. Most coleus varieties do well with morning sun and afternoon shade, while some can handle full sun, especially newer cultivars.
How do you care for a coleus main street plant?
Coleus ‘Main Street Rodeo Drive’ thrives in ideal light conditions ranging from partial shade to full sun. Aim for 4 to 8 hours of sunlight daily, and remember that this plant prefers warm, humid environments for optimal growth.
What is a Main Street Coleus?
The colorful leaves of the Main Street Coleus will make your garden or deck more interesting and add color. The Coleus has an excellent branching habit meaning it is the perfect shape for container planting. Mass plant in your garden for a spectacular splash of colour. Please note different varieties may be available in-store.
What color is Coleus Main Street ‘Bourbon Street’?
The Main Street™ ‘Bourbon Street’ Coleus grows 16″ to 24″ tall and stands upright. Its dark burgundy leaves are pointed and deeply scalloped, and the edges are lime green. Like the others of this series, it.
What color is Coleus Main Street TM ‘Venice Boulevard’?
Coleus Main Street ™ ‘Venice Boulevard’ (height 20″ to 26″; upright): The leaves of this attractive plant are serrated and range in color from gold to chartreuse with coppery-red veins. This pleasing color combination has been quite sought after in recent.
What does Coleus Main Street TM ‘Portage Avenue’ look like?
Coleus Main Street ™ ‘Portage Avenue’ (height 20″-24″; upright) Main Street ™ ‘Portage Avenue’ Coleus has wide maroon leaves with a loopy lime green edge. Full sun may bring out more reddish tones. Coleus ‘Main Street Rodeo Drive’ (height 16″; upright) Mainstreet Rodeo Drive™ has toothy, bright green leaves.
What is Coleus Main Street ‘Alligator Alley’?
Coleus Main™ Street ‘Alligator Alley’ (height 16″-22″; upright) Main Street™ ‘Alligator Alley’ has leaves that are deep mahogany with a stripe of hot pink down the center. The wide edge is a