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Water regularly, keeping the soil moist. Keep them out of the wind to avoid breakage. Coleus will not survive a frost, so either treat your plant as an annual or move it inside when temperatures begin to drop.
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 often do coleus plants need to be watered?
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.
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.
What kind of care does a coleus plant need?
They need fertile, well-draining soil and usually perform best in areas with partial shade, though many varieties can also tolerate sun. When growing coleus, keep in mind that these beauties can grow rapidly.
How many hours of sun does a coleus plant need?
Most coleus plants require about 6 hours of sunlight in the morning hours with shade being preferred all afternoon. However, this depends on the variety you’re growing in your garden and flowerbeds. Some modern varieties of coleus can tolerate full sun exposure all day long especially when growing in humid climates.
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.
How can I make my coleus grow faster?
Keep them indoors in a sunny window, and wait to move them outside until nighttime temperatures stay in the 50s. Coleus won’t grow any faster if you put them out early, and you could actually stunt their growth or they might die, even if temperatures stay above freezing.
Is coleus a good indoor 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.
Is coleus an indoor plant?
Coleus is a petite houseplant grown almost exclusively for its bold, colorful foliage.How to Grow Coleus Indoors. Botanical Name Plectranthus scutellarioides (also referred to as coleus blumei in the past) Soil Type Moist but well-drained Soil pH Neutral to acidic Bloom Time Summer (not showy) Flower Color White.
Does a coleus plant flower?
Many gardeners are charmed by the spikes of tiny blue or white flowers produced on coleus at the end of the season. These little blooms make a charming cut flower or may be left to enhance the beauty of the plant. Coleus are often thought of as shady foliage specimens that brighten up the dark corners of the garden.
Why is my coleus dying?
If you notice your coleus wilting and the soil is dry, most likely it just needs water. Coleus over watering or coleus planted in waterlogged soil will suffer from root rot, which can kill your coleus. If your coleus has developed yellow leaves from too much water, it may be too late to save the plant.
Why is my red coleus turning green?
Your coleus plant is most likely turning green because it isn’t getting enough light to maintain its original color. Coleus plants need lots of sunlight to keep their color, so if they aren’t getting enough, you’ll need to give it more to restore their beautiful hues.
Are coleus poisonous?
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. Pets that ingest coleus may experience vomiting and diarrhea that may be bloody.
Does a 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.
Does coleus come up every year?
Outside USDA zones 9 through 11, Cornell University suggests treating coleus as a beautiful spring-through-fall annual. As a tropical plant, coleus can’t bear a chill and will blacken and die once the weather dips much below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do you take care of coleus outside?
Avoid overly damp soils, which can cause leaf drop and encourage disease. Plant coleus after danger of frost has passed when soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently and evening temperatures are above 60 degrees F. Feed plants regularly with a water-soluble fertilizer, especially if they are growing in containers.
