How to Grow Coleus From Seed

Coleus make gorgeous statement and filler plants in the garden. They add fullness and a pop of color that can brighten up those all-green spaces in the garden. One thing you may not know about Coleus is that they are very easy to grow from seed.

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You can purchase seeds in your big box stores or local greenhouses at a reasonable price.

How to Grow Coleus from Seed

What you need to get started

• Seeds
• Pots
• Seed Starting Soil
• Grow Light

• Fill your pots with your seed starting mix
• Add two seeds per pot
• Cover with 1/4 inch of soil

• Water them in and continue to keep the soil moist

• Place them in a bright location or under grow lights

• Once they’ve sprouted, you can begin giving them a low-dose fertilizer and continue keeping them in bright light and moist soil.

When your seedlings get about 6-8 inches tall, you can pinch them to make fuller, bushier plants.

Propagating Coleus

Coleus are very easily propagated. Propagation is a great way to make those garden bucks go further! Coleus plants are commonly propagated through stem cuttings, which is a relatively simple and effective method.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to propagate coleus:

Materials Needed:

1. Healthy coleus plant
2. Clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears
3. Small pots or containers
4. Potting mix or a mix of perlite and peat moss
5. Rooting hormone (optional)

Steps:

1. Select a Healthy Parent Plant:
   Choose a mature, healthy coleus plant as your parent plant. Look for a plant with vibrant and disease-free foliage.
2. Prepare Your Tools:
   Ensure that your scissors or pruning shears are clean and sharp. If you’re using rooting hormone, have it ready as well.
3. Choose the Right Time:
   The best time to take cuttings is in the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. Avoid taking cuttings during the flowering stage.
4. Take Cuttings:
   Identify a healthy stem on the parent plant. Using your scissors or pruning shears, cut a 4-6 inch (10-15 cm) section just below a leaf node. A leaf node is the point where a leaf is attached to the stem.
5. Remove Lower Leaves:
   Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting. This will expose the nodes, where roots will develop.
6. Optional: Apply Rooting Hormone:
   If you have rooting hormone, dip the cut end of the coleus cutting into the powder or gel, following the product instructions.
7. Prepare the Potting Mix:
   Fill small pots or containers with a well-draining potting mix or a mixture of perlite and peat moss.
8. Plant the Cutting:
   Insert the cut end of the coleus cutting into the potting mix, burying it up to the level of the lowest remaining leaves.
9. Watering:
   Water the cutting thoroughly, ensuring that the soil is evenly moist but not waterlogged.
10. Create a Mini Greenhouse (Optional):
    You can cover the cutting and pot with a plastic bag or a plastic dome to create a humid environment, which can aid in root development.
11. Place in Indirect Light:
    Put the pots in a location with bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it may be too intense for the young cuttings.
12. Monitor and Transplant:
    Keep the soil consistently moist and monitor the cutting for signs of roots. Once roots have developed, usually in a few weeks, you can transplant the young coleus plants into larger pots or directly into the garden.

Remember, not all cuttings will succeed, so it’s a good idea to take several to increase your chances of success. Also, be patient, as the rooting process may take a few weeks.

Once it is past the frost free date in your area you can plant your Coleus outside. They are beautiful planted in ground and in containers.

Planting Coleus

• When to plant: Coleus is a tender annual, so it is best to plant it in the spring after the last frost has passed.
• Where to plant: Coleus can be grown in full sun to partial shade. It prefers well-drained soil, so it is a good idea to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.
• How to plant: Space coleus plants 12-18 inches apart. Water the plants well after planting.

Coleus make beautiful stand-alone and filler plants in the garden. Growing them from seed makes it all the more rewarding.

Happy Gardening