Potted Coleus Care Tips On Growing Coleus In A Pot

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.

Will a coleus grow in a pot?

Coleus can be grown in containers both indoors and outdoors, where pots of coleus work well to decorate a deck, patio, or window box.

Do coleus like to be misted?

Unlike other tropical houseplants that require daily misting, you should avoid spritzing your coleus leaves. The water can leave marks on the velvety foliage and spoil the plant's appearance.

Do coleus plants need a lot of sun?

Coleus has long been considered a shade plant but the best leaf color is achieved with morning sun and some degree of afternoon shade. Many varieties do well in both shade and part-sun. Some can take quite a bit of sun as long as they are not allowed to dry out.

What is the best fertilizer for coleus?

At the early stages of growth, coleus root development can be affected by high salts. A good target for EC in the root media is below 1.0 mS/cm. Keep ammonium nitrogen levels in the root zone less than 10 ppm by choosing high-nitrate-based fertilizers like, 13-2-13, 16-2-15 or 15-5-15.

How long do coleus plants live for?

In a frost-free area, coleus normally lives for several years. In USDA zones 10 through 11, the winter is mild enough to plant coleus in the ground. Coleus appreciates moist soil that drains well. Keep it out of intense sun, as it easily scalds.

What can I plant in a pot with coleus?

For the dramatic looks, try planting coleus in the middle of the container and pair it with the trailing plants like creeping jenny, creeping charlie, bacopa, lobelia, ivy. For a unique look, plant coleus with different texture plants like ornamental grass or daylily.

Why are the leaves falling off my coleus plant?

Coleus Problems

Several things can cause the leaves on the Coleus to drop off suddenly. This is normally a result of not watering enough, cool draughts or cold temperatures in general. Moist soil is essential for a healthy Coleus, but this is not the same as wet soil which will encourage the roots and stems to rot.

How do I make my coleus bushy?

To keep the plant bushy and strong, pinch back the tops every few weeks. Coleus do produce flowers. They're underwhelming, tiny and on stalks. Cut them off to keep the plant producing leaves, because the leaves are why you grow coleus.

How do you care for potted coleus?

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. Keep them out of the wind to avoid breakage.

Do coleus like to be root bound?

A root-bound plant will stop growing, so if you want to your Coleus at its current size, then you can keep it in its pot for an extended period, but eventually, its health will suffer, and you will need to give it more space to spread out its roots.

Is Coleus a good houseplant?

Grown as an annual throughout the United States and as a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11, coleus also makes a good houseplant that decorates an indoor environment with non-stop color.

Is Coleus toxic to dogs?

Causes of Coleus Poisoning in Dogs

The cause of coleus poisoning is exposure to or consumption of any part of the coleus. The essential oils are toxic to dogs and other small animals and children and are quickly absorbed through the skin, causing intense irritation and central nervous system abnormalities.

How do I make my coleus more colorful?

Answer: Coleus to retain its bright color must have three things. #1 – It should have some direct sunlight (morning sun) for at least part of the day and as much indirect light as possible all of the time. These flowers grow in the sun very well!

Will coleus come back every year?

Coleus is a perennial, a tropical shrub, that is not hardy except in warm, frost-free zones.

Can you root coleus in water?

Alternately, another method for how to root coleus cuttings is in water. After taking your cuttings, place them in a small glass of water and place this in bright indirect light. Change the water every other day. Once you see roots grow, you can transplant the coleus cuttings into soil.

Can coleus be a houseplant?

Coleus is a petite houseplant grown almost exclusively for its bold, colorful foliage.

Do coleus plants spread?

Do not crowd coleus close together. They spread out to about 16 inches across, so keep the leaves from shading each other by planting at least 12 inches away from each other in the garden. Some coleus prefer bright sun, but most do best and achieve the most vivid color in partial shade.

Why is my coleus losing color?

Too much sunshine can make the colors fade, but older leaves tend to lose their colors, as well. Pinching your coleus plants back to encourage healthy new leaf growth will help you maintain that bright, vibrant color. To test this theory, pinch out several of the oldest leaves on the backside of the plant.

How do you winterize a coleus plant?

To overwinter coleus, cut 3- to 4-inch tip cuttings from healthy plants. Remove the bottom set of leaves, dip the cut end in rooting hormone and place the cutting into a pot filled with a soilless mix. A 6-inch pot can accommodate 12 cuttings.

How many coleus seeds are in a pot?

We do recommend using the freshest coleus seeds and placing 3 to 4 in each pot or cell. Planting Time: Start your coleus indoors at least 8 weeks before your last frost.