How to Grow Coleus

Coleus is a tropical plant that is known for its colorful gorgeous foliage. It is a relatively easy plant to grow, and it can be grown indoors or outdoors. Coleus looks amazing in mixed borders and containers in the garden or as a stand alone houseplant in your home!

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How to Grow Coleus

To grow Coleus outdoors:

1. Choose a sunny or partially shaded spot with well-drained soil. Coleus can tolerate full sun in cooler climates, but it may need some protection from the hot afternoon sun in warmer climates.
2. Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and fertility.
3. Space coleus plants 12-18 inches apart.
4. Water coleus plants regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
5. Fertilize your Coleus plants every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
6. Pinch back the tips of Coleus plants regularly to encourage branching and bushier growth.
7. Coleus is a tender perennial, so it will not survive the winter in cold climates. If you live in a cold climate, you can bring your coleus plants indoors for the winter.

To grow Coleus indoors as a houseplant:

1. Choose a bright spot with indirect sunlight. Coleus can tolerate some direct sunlight, but it may scorch the leaves.
2. Plant coleus in a well-draining potting mix.
3. Water coleus plants regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
4. Fertilize coleus plants every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
5. Pinch back the tips of coleus plants regularly to encourage branching and bushier growth.

Overwintering coleus indoors:

1. Bring your coleus plants indoors before the first frost.
2. Cut back the plants by half.
3. Place the plants in a bright spot with indirect sunlight.
4. Water the plants regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
5. Fertilize the plants every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer.

In the spring, you can repot your coleus plants and move them outdoors.

Coleus Propagation:

Coleus is very easy to propagate from cuttings. I typically propagate them towards the end of the garden season to keep my favorites going indoors. Coleus can get quite big and bushy if you prune them correctly.

To propagate coleus from cuttings:

1. Cut a 4-6 inch stem from a healthy coleus plant.
2. Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting.
3. Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone (optional).
4. Plant the cutting in a well-draining potting mix.
5. Water the cutting regularly and keep it in a bright spot with indirect sunlight.
6. The cutting should root within 1-2 weeks.

To save money you can grow your own Coleus plants from seed easy! This is a great way to follow a plant from seed to maturity!

Once the cutting has rooted, you can pot it up or plant it in ground then grow it following the tips above. Once your plants flower and set seed you can save them and grow from your own stock year after year. Coleus is an amazing plant to grow indoors or outdoors. It gives beautiful brilliant color and structure to any area you place it in.

Growing coleus in your garden can add a burst of vibrant colors and striking foliage, making it an attractive and versatile choice for both ornamental beds and container gardens. Coleus plants, known for their unique leaf patterns and diverse color variations, are relatively easy to grow, making them suitable for gardeners of all experience levels.

Happy Gardening!