Coleus australis
little spurflower
Overview
Coleus australis is a soft-stemmed, spreading evergreen perennial 20-50 cm (8-20 in) tall, with semi-succulent, square stems that root where they touch the ground. The opposite leaves are fleshy, broadly oval with scalloped margins, 2-6 cm (0.8-2.4 in) long, and aromatic when crushed. Slender upright spikes carry small two-lipped tubular flowers in pale blue to mauve, mostly in summer and autumn, drawing bees and other small insects. It grows naturally in moist, shaded sites such as rocky gullies, creek banks, and rainforest margins along eastern Australia, often on shallow soil over sandstone. The trailing stems make it a quick-spreading groundcover in sheltered gardens, though the soft growth is frost-tender and can be cut back by cold, and it tends to look sparse and leggy in dry or heavily exposed positions. Plants are short-lived but renew readily from rooted stems and self-sown seedlings.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, from Victoria through New South Wales to Queensland, in moist, shaded forest and rocky habitats.Suggested Uses
Used as a shade groundcover, in rockeries, and along moist borders and creek-side plantings in native gardens. Suited to hanging baskets and containers where the trailing stems can spill over edges. Also grown as a soft filler beneath ferns and larger shade plants.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 1'8"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pale blue to mauveFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in partial to full shade on moist, free-draining soils rich in organic matter, with a pH of about 5.5-7.0. It tolerates dry shade once established but grows fuller with regular moisture through warm months. Soft frost-tender growth is damaged by cold, so it performs as a short-lived groundcover or is overwintered under cover in frosty climates. Hot, exposed positions cause leaf scorch and leggy stems. A light feed in spring and an organic mulch maintain leaf density. Stems that root along the ground can be lifted and replanted to refresh a planting.Pruning
Light tip pruning or shearing in spring keeps growth dense and compact. Frost-damaged or straggly stems can be cut back to healthy growth, from which the plant reshoots quickly. Removing spent flower spikes tidies the plant and limits self-seeding.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons