Winterizing Coleus How To Overwinter Coleus

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 do you take care of coleus in the winter?

Coleus should be kept rather dry over the winter to avoid rotting their roots. Remember, these are tropical plants that prefer sun and heat. They don't take kindly to cold, wet soil, so water only when the pot seems fairly light and the soil surface is completely dry. (You'll get the hang of it with a little practice.)

How do you overwinter coleus indoors?

Given adequate light, coleus overwinters easily indoors. Dig up healthy plants in the fall, just before cold weather hits. Make sure you get as much of the root system as possible. Pot your plants in suitable containers with well-draining soil and water them thoroughly.

Can you bring coleus inside for winter?

During the winter, coleus will lose its color. The plant that you brought indoors will lose some leaves and get straggly. ... There is no need to place the cuttings in water this time of year; you can insert the stems directly into the soil and the plant will root in the potting soil.

Will coleus come back after a freeze?

In cases of severe freezing damage, this may be right down to the base of the plant. Though it's important to remember that the coleus is a tender tropical that isn't always meant to be permanent, it's possible that the plant will grow once again from the surviving base when spring arrives.

How do I make my coleus bushy?

Pruning. Without regular pruning, coleus plants can become "leggy" and unattractive. If you prune and cut them back faithfully, your coleus should stay bushy and full. Shear the tops of plants that grow too tall to encourage outward growth and denser foliage.

Will coleus cuttings root 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.

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.

Do coleus reseed themselves?

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.

How long will a coleus plant live?

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.

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.

Can coleus be a houseplant?

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

Should I cut the flowers off my coleus?

Pinch just above a set of leaves or branching junction for the best appearance; don't leave a stub. Some gardeners leave the small flowers, but it's best to pinch them off to direct more energy into stem and foliage growth. Coleus left to flower may lose vigor as the plant puts energy into seed production.

How do I bring my coleus back to life?

You can actually revive the plant by cutting away the clearly dead portion of the plant, and then plopping the plant into a new pot. Water the new plant thoroughly. No need to apply a fertilizer; coleus is very hardy.

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.

Does coleus freeze easily?

Does coleus freeze easily? Coleus has no tolerance for frost and is usually one of the first annual plants to die in the fall. After it freezes, your coleus may have slimy blackened leaves and limp stems. The leaves may become twisted and dried or turn downward.

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 coleus come back every year?

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

How do you propagate coleus in soil?

The 2nd method is to propagate Coleus cuttings in soil.

Fill a pot with moist potting soil. Use a pencil to poke some holes, and place the cuttings one in each hole. Make sure at least 2 nodes are below soil level. Place the pot in a bright place out of direct sun.

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!

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.