Coleus also grows well indoors, provided the plant gets adequate light. Coleus is native to tropical regions with consistently warm temperatures and cannot tolerate frosts or freezes. On the contrary, if you live in a hot, dry area, place your coleus partially in shade. Water the plant thoroughly after planting. Containers: Always use containers that have bottom drainage to prevent root rot. Coleus growing in too much sun will usually suffer washed out leaf colors and daily wilting, regardless of the amount of water given. Flowering plants aren’t the only ones that add pops of color to the garden. Unluckily for plants, I really enjoy growing them. Coleus does produce insignificant violet or blue flowers, but they’re nothing compared to the multicolored foliage. If the plant's soil becomes completely dry for any period of time, leaves may wilt. Check the specifics for your coleus variety before planting to make sure it is in an area where it will receive the correct light levels. Soil: Set plants out after all danger of frost is past. A coleus plant grown indoors, especially in winter months, is more susceptible to this, so you might need to supply your plants with some supplemental light. Depending on the species, Coleus plants can grow between 6 to 36 inches (15-91 cm) in height and 1 to 3 feet (30-91 cm) in width. Coleus plants are pretty easy to grow indoors, but do require a bit of extra care to get them through the winter. If your coleus is planted outdoors and chilly weather is approaching, it’s time to dig them up, pot them and bring the coleus indoors if you want them to survive the winter. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'flgardening_com-box-4','ezslot_10',106,'0','0']));Mainstreet Wall Street™: Mainstreet Wall Street coleus makes a bold statement in the garden with its robust growth and richly colored reddish-orange foliage. Once your cuttings have a healthy amount of roots, transplant them to a loose, rich potting soil in a larger container or plant them in the landscape. Remove the bottom leaves of each cutting and insert the cut ends into damp potting soi l, … As a garden plant, this coleus shoots up spikes of bright blue or purple flowers which can be quite attractive. Moisture: To keep your coleus plants from wilting, especially during hot and dry Florida summers, water regularly. However, the amount of preferred light depends on the specific cultivar you are growing, so read the plant tag listing the coleus’ preferences before planting in a permanent location. Any balanced fertilizer for bedding plants can be used to improve your coleus' growth. Coleus is a very hardy plant and can handle the cutting. The old fashioned varieties make excellent bedding and foliage plants in the shade, and produce numerous purple spike flowers that should be deadheaded to … It will bring out the best coloring and will make the plant strong. A coleus in the house needs regular pruning. The coleus can grow up to 4 feet tall and wide, preferring partial sun. Use a sharp, clean knife to cut off a two- to six-inch section of stem. Though usually sold as annual-like bedding plants, these tender tropical perennials can survive for years if protected from frost. Water the plant thoroughly after planting. The ideal spot for a Coleus Plant is one that receives afternoon shade and morning sun. Fertilizing: Coleus plants aren’t heavy feeders and actually, too much fertilizer can burn plants, create problems with root rot and dim the foliage colors. COLEUS CARE Maintenance: Keep plants looking tidy and maintain their size and shape by pinching or trimming stem tips. If it stays dry, the coleus leaf may fall from the plant. Joshua Kipp Enterprises is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can find many of these cultivars marketed through Costa Farms, Proven Winners and BallFloraPlant. New varieties developed at UF have been selected for prolific lateral branching and late flowering, so they don't need as much maintenance. Coleus left outside during the cold winter months will die back, but propagating the plant and growing it indoors will allow you to have a large plant ready as soon as spring weather allows. This means that they are hardy only in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 13, though they may survive in sheltered locations protected from frost in USDA zone 9b. Flame Thrower Chipotle™: Thriving in full sun or shade, Flame Thrower Chipotle coleus is an attention grabber in the landscape with its multi-colored foliage in colors of chartreuse, purple and dark burgundy. If it stays dry, the coleus leaf may fall from the plant. Solenostemon varieties to try. 3. The Center for Landscape Conservation & Ecology, Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc: Coleus Cultivars, Coleus Cultivars Developed by UF Graduate Student Penny Nguyen, Read more about Nguyen's work in developing UF cultivars, Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program, UF/IFAS Extension: Solutions for Your Life, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). Coleus is an aromatic plant, which smells like camphor plant. It can be grown underneath other taller container plants, such as a small tree in a container. This technique can help overwinter coleus in colder parts of the state. They just need to be kept moist, and that’s it! Coleus needs well-draining soil. Gator Glory coleus, developed by Dr. Dave Clark, UF/IFAS. However, there are now many new varieties—some developed by the University of Florida—that thrive in full, hot sun. Continue reading because we’ve taken the mystery out of growing coleus in Florida and give you all the tips and variety suggestions to have this flamboyantly colored beauty flourish. Caring For Coleus. Coleus plants need an excellent light source without scorching sun to retain the markings and because the leaf markings are the sole point to this attractive plant, it's essential that you get the light requirements correct. Coleus hybrids were all the rage when they were first introduced into Europe from Java in the 1700sand their popularity has remained high. How to Grow and Care for Coleus in Containers. Coleus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae. With so many stunning choices, don’t be surprised if you end up gracing your landscape with several varieties instead of just one. Florida gardeners have choices in a large variety of coleus cultivars that will thrive in their landscapes. COLEUS CARE Maintenance: Keep plants looking tidy and maintain their size and shape by pinching or trimming stem tips. They may come in yellows, greens, reds, and some even come in pinks or purples. Northern Florida and portions of Central Florida that regularly receive frosts or freezes should wait until the weather warms in spring before planting frost-sensitive coleus. Coleus plant care indoors: Provide bright indirect sunlight, temperatures of 65-75°F, and moderate to high humidity levels. Depending on local weather conditions, you may have to give landscape and potted plants a drink of water daily. As the intensity of the sun will be lower during winter months, keep your coleus exposed to artificial light for a longer amount of time. Tips For Coleus Plant Care Indoors. Joshua Kipp Enterprises is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies, link to Growing Florida Cranberry (Roselle) in Florida, link to Best Plants to Plant around Your Florida Pool, Best Plants to Grow For Privacy in Florida. Winterize coleus by using the propagating techniques. They're winter-hardy only in south Florida and south Texas. Some coleus cultivars that grow well in all portions of Florida include: Twist ‘n’ Twirl™: A unique coleus due to its sharply lobed, multi-colored leaves in hues of yellow, reds, orange, dark and light green. The best time to plant heat-loving coleus into the landscape or in containers depends on where you reside in Florida. They need to be kept moist, especially newly planted coleus. Additionally, there are multitudes of different coleus cultivars developed over the years by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences with all thriving throughout the state. A: Yes, a coleus can be a colorful addition to a collection of green plants, with one bit of extra care. Even black thumb gardeners should be successful growing coleus. Additionally, it’s recommended to remove any blooms to promote the growth of additional leaves. Coleus is a tropical annual that’s well worth the effort of replanting every year. Growth I just want to share my experience and hope that it helps others. These versatile plants can be used in hanging baskets, containers on patios, or in landscape beds. Anything below 25 degrees will kill the plant. Some species of Coleus plants are succulents, while others have fleshy or tuberous rootstock. Though usually sold as annual-like bedding plants, these tender tropical perennials can survive for years if protected from frost. Many grow coleus plants in garden beds as annuals or planted in pots to create dramatic, colorful borders in full sun, bright light and some in partial shade. Coleus are in danger of cold damage once the temperature drops to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. A coleus in the house needs regular pruning. If you choose to grow coleus for more than one season, you might consider trimming the plant back after … Joshua Kipp Enterprises also participates in affiliate programs with Bluehost, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. The reason is that the sun is the hottest in the afternoon. Instead, as the weather starts to cool dig the plants up and pot them. Use a slow-release blend to feed coleus in the landscape, applying in spring. While indoors, keep the plant away from drafts, and stop fertilizing the plant. They grow rapidly in the spring, but many people don't overwinter them, so they never bother repotting the plant. Learn How to grow Coleus in a pot, Growing coleus plant, Propagate Coleus by cutting, pest problem plectranthus scutellarioides, coleus care in this article. About coleus plants. Not too long ago, Coleus (Plectranthus s Soil: Coleus grows in a variety of acidic Florida soils, including sand, loam and clay provided they drain well. When growing a coleus indoors, keep the soil evenly moist, watering the plant whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Coleus is an annual plant, so it will not survive the winter months. Your coleus will keep its best looks if you prune it every two or three months all winter. ). Water only when the top 1 inch of soil in the pot begins to dry, but before the soil dries out completely. However, if you live in a cooler area of the state and grow your coleus in containers, you can bring the plant indoors to a bright location before Old Man Winter pays a visit. Don't fertilize coleus plants in winter. I've also killed a few plants over the years, more than I would like to admit. The vibrant foliage comes in patterns of almost every conceivable color. 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