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How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Coleus Plants
Known for its colorful foliage, Coleus is a wonderful, low-maintenance plant that adds color to outdoor containers. Take cuttings in the fall to keep this tender annual growing through winter.
About Coleus
Coleus are in the Lamiaceae, or mint, family. While traditionally shade-tolerant, some modern varieties will thrive in the sun, too. Be sure to check with your garden nursery on the variety.
Leaf colors include: Green, Yellow, Pink, Red, Purple, and Maroon. The plant does bloom occasionally at the end of long stalks; trim the stalks for a more compact, bushy plant.
Growing
- Coleus will rot if overwatered, so only water when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Pinch growing shoots of young plants frequently to encourage branching and bushier growth.
- Fertilize in mid-summer with a liquid fertilizer at half the recommended strength.
- Cut off flower spikes in late summer to extend the life of the plant and encourage growth of new colorful leaves.
Overwintering Coleus
- In cooler regions, take cuttings from your plants before the first frost in the fall and place them in water to root.
- Plant the rooted cuttings in small pots and keep near a sunny window for the winter.
- Come spring, once the danger of frost has passed, plant the coleus outdoors.
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