Coleus plants have a wide range of color variation, from bright chartreuse to hot pink to near-black, and any number of combinations. Coleus leaves range from one to six-inches long, and also come in many different shapes and sizes. Coleus plants also have unique, square semi-succulent stems.
Does coleus like sun or shade?
Some modern coleus varieties handle full sun, but most still flourish with at least dappled shade and direct sun limited to morning hours. Too much sun or intense midday rays leave foliage scorched and faded; too little light causes weak growth. A balance is important for coleus beauty and health.
Is a coleus plant an annual or perennial?
Coleus is technically a tender perennial and not cold hardy in much of the country, so many gardeners simply grow it as an annual. But even in wintry climes, you can keep favorite plants going by taking cuttings in early fall to propagate indoors.
How do you care for a coleus plant?
To maintain plant form, pinch back every few weeks to prevent flower formation. Pinch just above a set of leaves or branching junction for the best appearance; don’t leave a stub. Some gardeners leave the small flowers, but it’s best to pinch them off to direct more energy into stem and foliage growth.Is coleus indoor or outdoor plant?
Although coleus is typically grown outdoors as an annual, its vibrant leaves provide many months of enjoyment indoors if growing conditions are just right. In fact, coleus plants respond well to potted environments. Read on to learn more about growing coleus as an indoor plant.
Can coleus grow in pots?
Plant your coleus in a sturdy container that won’t tip over if it does get to be 2 feet tall. Fill your container with well-draining soil and fertilize moderately. Be careful not to over fertilize, though, or your coleus in pots may lose their brilliant color. Water regularly, keeping the soil moist.
Is coleus a houseplant?
Coleus is a petite houseplant grown almost exclusively for its bold, colorful foliage. … Coleus plants are native to Asia and Australia and boast a variety of pigmented leaves, in shades of green, pink, white, cream, yellow, maroon, and purple.
Does coleus come back?
Coleus is a perennial, a tropical shrub, that is not hardy except in warm, frost-free zones.Where is the best place to plant coleus?
Plant coleus in a sunny or partly shaded spot, in moist but well-drained soil. Coleus are low growing, so they look best at the front of a border, combined with other bedding plants, or in pot on a patio. If you’re growing coleus as a house plant, grow it in a bright spot that gets a little direct sun.
Should you let a coleus flower?Coleus plant flowering signals the end of the plant’s life cycle, and plants usually die soon after they are allowed to produce blooms. … You can just leave them on and enjoy the plant as an annual, or take steps to encourage thicker growth and continued life in a greenhouse or cold frame.
Article first time published onAre coleus easy to grow?
Growing Coleus Plants Coleus is probably one of the easiest plants to grow and propagate. … Coleus can be added to beds and borders for interest or grown in containers. They need fertile, well-draining soil and usually perform best in areas with partial shade, though many varieties can also tolerate sun.
Will coleus survive winter?
Coleus is one of the most colorful plants for the garden or summer containers, and they add a wonderful tropical feel. They come in all kinds of color combinations too. One of the things I love the most is that they can survive inside over the winter. So you can save that beautiful foliage for years to come!
Can coleus survive winter indoors?
Given adequate light, coleus overwinters easily indoors. Dig up healthy plants in the fall, just before cold weather hits. Make sure you get as much of the root system as possible. Pot your plants in suitable containers with well-draining soil and water them thoroughly.
Can coleus plants grow outside?
If you are growing coleus plants outdoors—either in the ground or in containers—the same care instructions apply. Plant the coleus in bright locations with partial shade and ensure that soil is always moist and never too damp or soggy.
Is coleus toxic to humans?
The leaves of the coleus plant are poisonous to humans, advises North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension. The toxic principal is diterpene coleonol, coleon O, and the plant is considered to have a low poison toxicity. The leaves can cause contact dermatitis, and symptoms are usually minor and short-lived.
Is coleus toxic to dogs?
Like many other essential oils, the oil from the coleus is toxic to your dog and can be absorbed through the skin immediately, causing irritation and possible burns to the skin and depression of the central nervous system.
How long do coleus plants live for?
While the lifespan of an average coleus plant is one year, you can prolong its life by pruning. Watch out for any small flower buds and prune it before the flower buds bloom. This is because once the plant starts producing flowers and seeds it will soon die.
Does coleus purify air?
The fine leaves on upright stems contrast with trailing plants that appreciate the same high moisture and low light conditions of the asparagus fern. Try asparagus fern with ivy, coleus, or philodendron plants anywhere you desire the air-purifying properties of a low-care houseplant.
How cold can coleus tolerate?
Generally speaking, coleus plants are too tender to survive temperatures at the literal freezing point, which is, of course, 32 degrees. Ideally, the coleus likes it nice and hot – temperatures up to 95 degrees, according to the National Garden Bureau – but it can survive temps in the 60s, 50s and even 40s.
Why is my coleus losing color?
Hot climates can be too much for a Coleus, and you may experience that too much sun will result in leaves turning green, white, or fade. In these cases the ideal place for a Coleus will be in a spot with as much indirect light as possible (and up to a few hours of direct light daily).
How often do you water coleus?
Coleus in containers may need watering twice a day during hot weather. Outdoor containers may require water twice a day. Indoor plants need water only once every two or three days, or a bit more if you live in a dry climate.
What flowers can I plant with coleus?
- For the shade-loving plant, choose hosta, fuchsia, fern, begonia, impatiens, sweet potato vine, coral bells.
- For mix and match color, combine coleus with million bells, petunia, bacopa, lobelia, marigold, daisy, basically any flowering plants is an excellent choice.
What are companion plants for coleus?
- Lantana.
- Impatiens.
- Begonias.
- Heliotrope.
- Cordyline (spikes)
- Dusty miller.
- Sweet potato vine.
- Ornamental grasses like purple fountain grass.
How tall does coleus get?
Coleus comes in three forms: upright, rounded and trailing. They range in height from 6 inches to 3.5 feet and grow 1 to 3 feet wide.
Is redhead Coleus a perennial?
Coleus Redhead, Solenostemon ‘Uf0646’, Plectranthus ‘Uf0646’ Grown for its vibrant foliage, Solenostemon Redhead (Coleus) is a tropical evergreen tender perennial adorned with soft red leaves, delicately edged with small serrations. Incredibly showy, they keep their vibrant color in the shade.
How long does coleus take to grow?
Coleus can benefit with bottom heat. Seedlings emerge in 12-21 days. As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night.
What does a coleus plant look like?
Coleus (Coleus blumei) are tender tropical plants grown for their leaves, not for their flowers. The leaf patterns are distinctly on the wild side — spotted, splashed, and artistically edged in shades of color ranging from purple, yellow, pink, intense red, and luminous chartreuse. Coleus thrives in heat.
When can coleus go outside?
Begin moving the coleus outdoors after all frost danger has passed and the average daily temperature remains above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do you take care of coleus in the winter?
Coleus should be kept rather dry over the winter to avoid rotting their roots. Remember, these are tropical plants that prefer sun and heat. They don’t take kindly to cold, wet soil, so water only when the pot seems fairly light and the soil surface is completely dry.
What colors do coleus come in?
The colorful leaves come in many shades of purple, red, orange, pink, green and yellow — just about every color except blue — in dozens of patterns, shapes and sizes, from tiny, spotted and marbled to gigantic, toothed, lobed and divided.
Do hummingbirds like coleus?
Coleus, when allowed to flower and when paired with bright red and pink annuals such as impatiens or begonias will attract hummingbirds to your shade garden. … But, these small flowers are magnets for hummingbirds! If you let the coleus plants flower, hummingbirds will visit the plants often throughout the day.
