Thought to originate in Southeast Asia, Coleus was first brought back to Britain in the mid-19th century by Dutch botanist Karl Ludwig Blume.

 

Whilst there is uncertainty as to its exact native origin, Coleus thrived in elevations between 100-1600m. 



Today, known elements of the global collapse of ecosystems are in part due to soil degradation. The overuse of pesticides and fertilisers was a key factor in soil degradation which would result in the collapse of traditional farming and mass famine.

 

Many wild plant species in Asia that preferred nutrient-rich soil would perish, including Coleus, which was last observed in the wild in 2097.