Coleus plants do best in well-drained soils amended with lots of organic matter. Any balanced fertilizer for bedding plants can be used to improve your coleus’ growth. Soil for these plants should be kept lightly moist at all times; mulching around your plants helps conserve soil moisture.
How to care for coleus?
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.
Does coleus need sun or shade?
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. A balance is important for coleus beauty and health.
How do you keep coleus alive indoors?
Keep them out of direct sunlight, which can scorch them, and avoid extreme heat or cold. Water consistently but remember that too much water will encourage rot and mold. There is no need to fertilize annual plants kept indoors over the winter.
How do you take care of coleus in Florida? – Related Questions
Do coleus come back every year?
Do coleus come back? Hardy in USDA zones 10-11, coleus is a tender perennial but is most often grown as an annual. Since coleus are sensitive to cooler temperatures, they will only come back the following year in the warmest regions.
Is coleus an indoor or outdoor plant?
It is the perfect plant for the north side of the home or any area that only has indirect light. A little early morning sun will be tolerable but don’t plant coleus in the direct sun. This trait makes coleus an invaluable plant in the outdoor shady garden, but it also makes coleus a great houseplant.
How long will coleus last?
The average lifespan of a coleus plant is one year.
It’s not uncommon for indoor plants to live between 3-4 years if they are properly cared for, which means proper watering, sunlight, the right soil, and the right plant food to keep it green, and healthy.
Is coleus toxic to dogs?
Coleus is poisonous to dogs, and while the plant is not likely to be fatal if eaten, it can cause a reaction and illness. The leaves of Coleus contain diterpene coleonol and coleon O, which are toxic to dogs. Pets that ingest Coleus foliage may experience vomiting, diarrhea, and depression.
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.
Do coleus need deep pots?
As a minimum, you’ll want a pot that’s eight inches wide and deep for a single plant. If you want to plant more than one, or add some colorful annual flowers, then consider a large planter. Make sure your container has draining holes on the bottom.
Can you plant coleus directly in the ground?
There are some large coleus cultivars that grow over 30 inches tall, and when you plant them in the ground they really take off. The more space you give them to spread out their roots, the larger they grow. SuperSun ‘Plum Parfait’ above grows up to 3 feet tall and creates a nice hedge to back up other plants.
Can I plant my coleus in the ground?
Growing Coleus Plants
Coleus can be added to beds and borders for interest or grown in containers. 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.
Can I leave coleus outside in winter?
Coleus is very frost-sensitive, so bring the plants inside if cold nights threaten. By mid-May, the plants should be ready for your garden or containers. Cuttings may also be taken from a large, healthy plant in late spring.
How do I keep my coleus from getting leggy?
You can prune a Coleus to maintain a specific look or shape. Trimming back new growth will prevent the stems from growing long and encourage the plant to push out leaves in other areas. Pruning will maintain a bushy look and create dense foliage.
Will coleus spread?
Height/Spread
Coleus vary from smaller types that will reach only 1 foot tall to tall bushy types of 3 feet. Sprawling types suitable for hanging baskets and wall plantings may spread more than 3 feet wide.
How do I keep my coleus short and bushy?
It’s easy: you just need to pinch them. It may seem counterproductive to cut back a plant that you want more of, but pinching many annual and tender perennial plants—like coleus—encourages branching and full, bushy growth.
Should you cut back coleus?
Around midsummer, coleus should be pruned regardless of whether it will be allowed to flower. If it’s not maintained, it could overgrow and branches can snap from their weight.
Do coleus attract bugs?
Coleus plants in greenhouses are very susceptible to infestation by mealybugs. White cottony masses appear on leaf surfaces, in leaf axils and sheaths. These insects damage plants by sucking plant sap.