A plant for indoors and out

Coleus leaves will brighten home and garden

THIS week’s seeds are slightly unusual because while they can be sown and grown as border plants, they will also live happily indoors in a light room or warm conservatory.

Coleus are perennials, but because they don’t like our winters they are usually grown as half-hardy bedding and composted when they fade at the end of summer.

However, they can be potted up before this happens and overwintered in a warm light room, or even treated as a houseplant.

Coleus, which are inedible members of the mint family, are grown for their bright leaves in tones of acid green, bright pink and maroon that offset the jolly colours of summer bedding.