Coleus hadiensis aka Cuban Oregano

Coleus hadiensis is also called hairy coleus. It belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. The RHS lists Plectranthus hadiensis as another name for it. Useful Tropical Plants uses that older name for the species. Its native range runs from Egypt south to South Africa. It also grows wild in the southwestern Arabian Peninsula. Maldives and Sri Lanka form part of its native range too. Kew places it in a tropical zone with dry seasons. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This plant lives for years and has somewhat fleshy growth. It can grow into a small shrub. Kew calls it a subshrub, which can sometimes form tubers. Its stems may stand upright or lean along the ground. They can turn woody as the plant grows older. Useful Tropical Plants gives a height of about 3.3 feet [1 metre]. Its broader plant account gives 0.3–4.9 feet [0.1–1.5 metres]. These figures show a wide range of sizes. They do not confirm a size range for garden plants. The supplied species accounts give no full leaf or bark details. The RHS name, hairy coleus, comes with no species-level leaf details.

Wild plants grow at the edges of dry woodland. They also grow among rocks in grassland. Known sites lie at heights of 3,609–7,546 feet [1,100–2,300 metres]. These sites give context, but do not show garden care needs. Useful Tropical Plants gives no care guide for plants past the seed stage. The supplied accounts give no cold limits or watering schedule. They give no mature spread or preferred soil pH either.

Useful Tropical Plants says insects pollinate the flowers. The supplied evidence gives no flower colour or bloom season. It gives no fruit details either. The same source tells how to raise plants from seed. Use soil that drains well, with a thin sand cover. Seeds need a warm spot in shade. They sprout in about three weeks. People in South Africa grow the plant for its looks.

People gather wild plants for local use and commercial cosmetics. Growers in India and Sri Lanka raise it for medicinal use. Reported uses include coughs, swelling from inflammation, gut troubles and skin complaints. These are records of traditional use, not proof that treatments work. Commercial cosmetics use extract from the whole plant to condition skin. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known food uses or hazards. This does not mean the plant is safe to eat. The supplied accounts name no specific pests or diseases.