Coleus Plant Care

The botanical name of Coleus plant is Plectranthus scutellarioides and the plant are foliage plants in a wide selection of colors and patterns for the annual garden. The Coleus plants are easy to grow, and the plant stay vibrant in both sun and shade, and they are tolerant of soil type. New colors and patterns of the Coleus plants are introduced regularly including the dwarf varieties of the plant, the trailing types and the big-leaf, upright plants that grow to three and half feet tall.

Furthermore, at maturity the coleus plant produces a tiny blue or white flower on spikes but these are often pinched out in other to encourage more brilliantly colored leaves. If the Coleus is planted in spring, the plant will provide season-long interest, and then dying back with the first frost. The Coleus plant is most often set out in the garden but they can be grown indoors for several seasons. The Coleus plant is toxic to cats, dogs and horses.

Coleus Plant Info

The common name: The common name is Coleus.

The botanical name: The botanical name is   Plectranthus scutellarioides.

The family: The Coleus plant belongs to Lamiaceae family.

The plant type: The Coleus plant is an herbaceous perennial plant.

The mature size: The mature size is about six to thirty-six inches tall and wide.

The sun exposure: The Coleus plant prefers part sun to part shade.

The soil type: The Coleus plant does well in  rich, moist, loose soil, well-drained soil.

The soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0 to 7.0).

The blooming time: The blooming time is seasonal.

The flower color: The flower colors are blue to white.

USDA hardiness zones: Ten to eleven. 

The native area: The Coleus plant is native to Asia.

Plant toxicity: The Coleus plants are toxic to cats, dogs and horses.

Coleus varieties

The Coleus plants have about 100 varieties that are available in different colors, leaf textures, and patterns. The new varieties are developed each year, and most garden centers tend to focus on a select popular few.  You can shop several different places to find more unique varieties of Coleus. The following are some of the varieties of Coleus:

-         The Coleus wizard variety: The Coleus wizard variety is small about twelve to fourteen inch plants in standard color mixes and they are very easy to grow from seeds.

-         The coleus Kong variety: The coleus Kong variety feature six inch leaves on two foot tall plants sensitive to direct sunlight.

-         The Coleus Black Dragon variety: The Coleus Black Dragon variety is a unique variety with deep burgundy leaves and ruffled edges that grow to eighteen inches tall.

-         The Premium Sun coleus variety: The Premium Sun varieties tolerate full sun.

-         The Fairway coleus variety: The Fairway coleus varieties are Dwarf varieties growing six to ten inches tall in a variety of leaf patterns and colors.   

How to grow Coleus plant

The following are the requirements on how to care for Coleus plant;

- Wait to plant the Coleus outdoors until the temperature reaches about sixty degree Fahrenheit.

- Make sure you choose a variety suited to the sun exposure in your garden.

- Try and plant the Coleus in rich, loose, well-worked garden soil or quality container plant mix.

- Make sure you keep the plant consistently moist, you can irrigate when the top inch of the soil gets dry.

- Also Keep mulch from contacting the plant stems and also avoid cedar mulch.

- Protect the outdoor Coleus plants when temperatures dip below fifty degree Fahrenheit.

Light requirement

How much sun to give the coleus plants depend on the variety you choose to grow. Newer varieties, such as the wizard series, are more tolerant of light than older varieties. Most varieties of the Coleus plants are suited to shady spots and they do well with morning sun and afternoon shade.

The Coleus plants that are grown indoors usually get enough light during the growing season but they may need to be supplemented with a grow light in winter.

Soil requirement

The Coleus plant actually prefers consistently moist, rich, well-draining soil. Before planting them you can amend the soil with compost or another organic material. For the potted Coleus plants you can use a good-quality potting mix. Make sure you choose a container with drainage holes.

Water requirement

The Coleus plants actually grow best in soil that is consistently moist but not soggy. Long dry spells can slow the Coleus plants’ growth, and the plant leaves will start to brown around the edges. You can let the soil dry out between watering and then water the plant when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch.

Actually mulch helps to retain moisture, but do not use cedar mulch, which is toxic to the coleus plant. The Containers actually need water more often, up to twice a day especially during hot weather.

Temperature and humidity requirement

The Coleus plant thrives in hot, humid conditions. In temperate climates, light frost can easily kill the large-leaved types. Move the potted coleus plants indoors or use an insulating cover when temperatures dip into fifty degree Fahrenheit.

Keep the indoor Coleus plants away from air conditioner vents and drafts. In dry climates, the Coleus plants actually benefit from extra humidity. Wait until the temperature reaches seventy degree Fahrenheit before moving the potted Coleus plants outdoors in spring.

Fertilizer requirement

The Coleus plants are sensitive to fertilizer which can leech color from the plant leaves if overused. When the Coleus plant is grown in rich soil, feeding the plant isn't necessary. You can amend the bed beforehand or you can easily add a balanced slow-release fertilizer at planting time. Feed the container-grown Coleus plants once a month with a water-soluble fertilizer.

Pruning Coleus plant

For the full, bushy Coleus plants, pinch out the growing tips when the Coleus plants are about six inches tall. Pinch just under the Coleus flower buds to promote leafy growth instead of the flowers and the seeds.

The Coleus plants that are not pruned tend to get leggy and lose their shape. This can actually happen with the indoor Coleus plants during winter so give them more sun or supplement with artificial light.

How to propagate Coleus

The Coleus plants can actually be propagated by taking the plant stem cuttings. What you need to do is to gather a sharp scissor, potting mix, small pots with plastic covering, and rooting hormone, and then follow these steps to get started;

- Use a very sharp, sterile scissor to cut a four to six inch long stem, make the cut beneath a leaf node.

- Just remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting leaving about 1 or 2 at the top. The large leaves can actually be cut in half to facilitate rooting.

- You have to dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone compound to cover the bottom leaf nodes. Make sure you plant in a moistened potting mix.

- You need to cover the container with plastic, make sure the plastic does not touch the cutting.

- You need to place the covered cutting in a bright, warm location with a temperature at seventy degree Fahrenheit.

- Make sure you keep the soil consistently moist. Roots develop in 2 to 3 weeks.

- Just remove the plastic and then continue growing the new Coleus plant in a bright, warm location.

Growing Coleus plant from seed

It is very easy to grow coleus plant from seed. It takes about twenty-one days for germination and then 3 or 4 weeks of warm weather for fully grown plants. Modern coleus plants varieties sold in stores are hybrids grown from cuttings potted up for nursery sale, but you can still find seeds of many coleus varieties. For planting outdoors, start the Coleus seeds indoors about 8 to ten weeks before your last frost date. Here is how to grow your own Coleus plants from seed;

- Sprinkle the tiny Coleus seeds over a tray filled with potting mix and then press the seeds lightly into the soil. Don’t cover.

- Just add a plastic dome or cover and then set the tray in a bright, warm spot with temperatures between seventy and seventy-five degree Fahrenheit. Seed germination will occur in 3 weeks.

- Remove the plastic and then continue to grow the Coleus plant seedlings, make sure you keep the soil consistently moist.

- When about 2 sets of true leaves appear and the Coleus plant seedlings are sturdy enough to handle, you can easily transplant them into their own containers until outdoor planting time. Make sure to harden off before planting in the garden.

Potting and repotting Coleus plant

The Coleus plants grow rapidly so start with container that is large enough to accommodate the mature plant. For the tall, upright varieties you can choose a heavy twelve inch pot like terra cotta to help anchor heavy top grown. Make sure you choose containers with plenty of drainage holes. 

Pest and Disease control

Coleus plants are actually attacked by pest and diseases. Young rabbits and groundhogs will actually nibble your Coleus plants leaving the plant with an unsightly ragged appearance. Protect your Coleus plants early in the season to deter pests. Make sure you always watch for spider mites, mealybugs, whiteflies, aphids, and slugs. These insects can easily be controlled with a strong spray from a garden hose. Also mulch discourages slugs.

The Coleus plants are not usually bothered by disease. Cool, damp weather can actually lead to fungal disease like powdery mildew on the Coleus plant. Make sure there is good drainage, this will help to discourage root and stem rots.

Some common problems with Coleus plant

The Coleus plant is a reliable, showy foliage plant with little problems. Actually fungal infections can be a problem during periods of cool, humid weather. Here are some of the common problems with Coleus plant;

Yellow leaves: actually Chlorosis will cause the plant leaves to turn yellow, tracing back to several problems usually due to errors in the plant care. The overwatered Coleus plants will develop yellow, mushy leaves. Under-watering can cause the foliage to fade, yellow, and turn brown and crispy.

Too much fertilizer on the plants interferes with the chlorophyll production. You can use a balanced formula in the garden only in cases where the soil is poor and also use a water-soluble product for the container plants. Make sure you choose the correct pot size. The root-bound coleus plants also develop yellow leaves.

Leaf spores: Downy mildew is actually a fungal infection that flourishes in cool, humid conditions causing the Coleus plant to have stunted growth and loss of foliage. A fuzzy gray and purple spore will appear on the undersides of the Coleus plant leaves affecting the lower leaves first. Avoid overcrowding the Coleus plants for better air circulation and also water the plant in the morning. Try and also remove the infected plant leaves.

Wilting: The big leaf varieties may wilt, following the transplant into the garden or if the Coleus plants receive too much direct sun. Just make sure that the Coleus variety you choose to grow is suited to sun exposure for the intended garden spot. Make sure you water the new transplants very well and also keep the soil moist, but also try and avoid overwatering.