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How long does it take to grow coleus from seed?
Sowing Seed Indoors: Coleus can benefit with bottom heat. Seedlings emerge in 12-21 days. As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night.
Are coleus hard to grow from seed?
The shade-loving coleus is a favorite among shade and container gardeners. With its bright leaves and tolerant nature, many gardeners wonder if coleus propagation can be done at home. The answer is, yes, and quite easily. Taking coleus cuttings or growing coleus from seed is quite easy.
How do you identify coleus plants?
They are generally ovate and soft-textured. Coleus exhibits many colors and color combinations; patterns of pink, white, yellow, red, green, and maroon are common. The stems are square, becoming woody with age. The flower is a blue spike which is generally not valued.
When should I repot coleus seedlings?
It isn’t mandatory to repot your coleus immediately after purchase, unless the roots show that they’re feeling squeezed. Repotting in a pot of a slightly larger size is recommended at the end of every winter. From mid-May onwards, the plant can be brought outdoors.
Will coleus reseed itself?
There are many plants that reseed themselves. Popular flowering plants that will come back year after year can include annuals, biennials and perennials. Annuals – popular annuals that reseed include forget-me-nots, coleus and marigolds.
Should you let coleus go to seed?
Alternately, you can let the blooms grow and produce seeds. If a coleus plant has flower spikes, simply wait until the petals fall off and a small fruit is formed. Coleus plants are easy to start from seed, either indoors or outside when temperatures are at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 C.).
How do you get coleus seeds?
How to Save Coleus Flower Seeds Tie a colorful string or yarn around one or two of the healthiest coleus plants. Harvest seeds when the petals have dropped from the flowers and the remaining seed pods are plump, dry and brown. Snip the seed pod with scissors or garden shears. Place the sack in a cool, dry location.
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.
Is coleus a sun or shade plant?
Coleus thrive in cool, evenly moist, well-drained soil. Some modern coleus varieties handle full sun, but most still flourish with at least dappled shade and direct sun limited to morning hours. Too much sun or intense midday rays leave foliage scorched and faded; too little light causes weak growth.
How fast do coleus plants grow?
They’re also very easy to grow into a standard. One great thing about using coleus is that it only takes 6-12 months to have a good looking standard compared to years for plants like rosemary or bay to become a decent size standard. This one is only about 4 months along.
Are coleus 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.
Is coleus a houseplant?
Coleus is a petite houseplant grown almost exclusively for its bold, colorful foliage. Coleus plants are native to Asia and Australia and boast a variety of pigmented leaves, in shades of green, pink, white, cream, yellow, maroon, and purple.
How often do you water coleus seedlings?
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.
Do coleus plants like to be root bound?
Coleus has shallow roots, so you can get away with smaller pots, but you still want to make sure those roots have room to grow and latch – in other words, do not overcrowd your coleus plants when planting in the ground.
What can I plant in a container with coleus?
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 coleus be planted deep?
Make the hole at least twice the diameter of the roots to allow ample space for the roots to grow, but plant the coleus only as deep as it was planted in its original spot. Planting too deeply may smother the crown of the plant — the spot where the plant joins the roots.
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.
