Question: How To Plant Coleus 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.

Does coleus like sun or shade?

Coleus thrive in cool, evenly moist, well-drained soil. Consistent moisture is good, but soggy conditions cause root disease. Watering should complement available sun. Some modern coleus varieties handle full sun, but most still flourish with at least dappled shade and direct sun limited to morning hours.

How do you plant coleus?

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Coleus Plants Coleus can easily be started from seed indoors about 10 weeks before the last frost date in your region. Set plants out after all danger of frost is past. Choose a spot that is protected from wind. Coleus needs well-draining soil. Water the plant thoroughly after planting.

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.

How far apart do you plant coleus?

Plants should stand 12 inches apart in the garden. Dig a hole for each plant large enough to amply accommodate the root ball.

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.

How do I make my coleus more colorful?

Morning sun and afternoon shade is the rule of thumb for any coleus. But breeders have been introducing lots of sun-tolerant varieties that can take a lot more light than many of the older hybrids. Most have “solar” or “sun” in their names, and sport brighter reds and more vivid greens in their foliage.

What is the best fertilizer for coleus?

We recommend a balanced all-purpose fertilizer for Coleus. Any of the 10-10-10 formulas is a good choice. Miracle Grow is good for Coleus, but make sure to follow the instructions before applying. You can use a slow-release fertilizer mixed into the soil if you find that easier.

Will coleus come back every year?

Taking a perennial to a location where cold winters kill it does not make it an annual. Coleus is a perennial, a tropical shrub, that is not hardy except in warm, frost-free zones.

What type of soil is best for coleus?

For potted plants, any good-quality peat-based potting mix will work fine. Container-grown coleus loves the loose texture of potting soil, and it always helps to start with a quality mix with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0.

Can I bring coleus indoors?

Growing coleus plants indoors isn’t at all difficult but does require a few basic needs when it comes to light and temperature. Coleus likes bright light, but be careful of intense sunlight. Coleus as an indoor plant performs best in temperatures between 60 and 75 F.

How long do coleus plants live?

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.

Are coleus plants annuals or perennials?

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 I make my coleus bushy?

You can make coleus bushy by routinely pinching the stems and leaves from the plant. Over time, the main stem or trunk of your coleus will become strong and support a larger, fuller plant. Regular feeding with a diluted liquid fertilizer can also promote growth.

What goes with coleus in a container?

Coleus Companion Plants 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.

Can you propagate coleus from a leaf?

Remove the lower leaves, leaving the top set of four leaves. Any part of the cutting that will be below the surface of the water should be free of leaves. The cutting is now ready for rooting in water. Add coleus cuttings to fresh water to root.

Which coleus is good for full sun?

Here are some coleus varieties that are good for full sun: Wasabi coleus. ColorBlaze coleus. Redhead.

Why is my coleus faded?

Coleus plants need rich, loose, well-draining soil and ample water while they’re growing. If your plants are losing their leaves, they may be adjusting to the drier indoor environment and the change in light intensity. These conditions should help your plants perk up and thrive indoors during the winter.

Why is coleus red?

When you see a Coleus with foliage ranging from pink through red, pink and purple it’s because of pigments called anthocyanins.