Coleus Plant Care

Last Updated on July 22, 2024

Coleus scutellarioides commonly known as Coleus is the most common plant popular with gardeners around the world. It belongs to the family Lamiaceae and is native to Southeast Asia to Australia.

What’s amazing about them is that they can be used for multi purpose including garden enhancers, pest repellants, in some cases pest attractors.

Found in variety of patterns and colors, this plant remains blooming throughout the year if given proper care. March and April are the peak seasons for their bloom un till the first frost begins to fall.

If you are new to this field or already a professional, this comprehensive guide will provide you every minute detail about the upbringing of this beautiful plant. Let us dive into the nitty gritty of its nature.

Quick Tips To Grow Coleus Plant

Temperature matters when you want to bring Coleus in your garden. Some of the varieties are heat resistant while others grow well in bright sunlight.

The plant is sensitive to extreme temperatures both in winter and summer. It starts wilting in scorching heat as well as with a nip of frost.

It loves to reside in moist soil, so damp the soil when you find outer most layer is drying out.

Frost season is a death sentence for Coleus, so bring your planter indoor to protect it from severe conditions.

Avoid windy locations as Coleus is a delicate plant and is more prone to breakage.

Take multiple cuttings for propagating your new Coleus. As a few of them will root out after they are planted separately.

Varieties of Coleus plant

How to Care for Coleus plant

Light

It depends on the variety of the plant you are growing. Some of them prefer bright light while others grow in partially shady places. Besides, it has different light requirements in different seasons.

In Spring it can sustain 5 hours of sunlight as the intensity of light is endurable. Similarly scorching heat of summer is intolerable for sensitive plants like Coleus. So it is recommended to place them under the shade to prevent wilting.

Being cold sensitive put your planter indoors near a south facing window or under grow lights to help your Coleus receive filtered light for its functioning.

Soil requirements for Coleus plant

Well drainage, soft and porous soil is an ideal environment you may provide your Coleus. The soil with pH 6-7 that is incorporated with any type of organic matter is best for them to live long life.

It needs to get moistened in between watering to avoid wilting. But make sure the planter must have drainage holes at the bottom to prevent waterlogging. A general purpose fertilizer is the best meal for these plants to stay lush.

Intelligent Watering is All It Needs

Coleus is a water loving plant, so do not let the soil dry out completely. Follow a watering regime. Feel the soil, if half an inch of the outer most layer is dried. Feed it twice in hot summer days. As long dry spells can lead to leaves wilting and root decay.

In winters, coleus being one of a tropical plants who crave sun and heat for their survival . It is recommended to feed it with water only when needed. Soil not being dried out will shrink the roots.

Tip: It is recommended to use a planter made of plastic as it holds half of the moisture inside it. Unlike terracotta’s that absorb and extract all moisture away from the soil very easily.

Temperature

Coleus plants flourish better in areas with mildly warm climate. Bring your planter indoor when temperature falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degree Celsius.

Average humidity needed by Coleus

It is recommended to provide enough humidity level of 50 to 70 percent to these mind soothing vibrant plants. If you see wilting of leaves it is because your plant is seeking help for enough humidity.

Indoor Coleus need to keep away from air conditioners as it sucks humidity from the environment.

Use a tray filled with water and pebbles under the planter to provide humidity for indoor plants.

Do not move the planter outdoor before the temperature reaches up to 21 degrees Celsius.

Use humidifier to release extra moisture or try misting method to benefit the plant to provide essential amount of humidity .

Fertilizer

As such the plant does not need fertilizer with nutrient rich soil. But water soluble fertilizer is needed to boost the growth when it came out of dormant phase.

Avoid using fertilizer that has high phosphorus content, Instead use the one with equal concentration of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.

Tip: If you want to make your plant bushy then feed your Coleus with a Nitrogen based fertilizer. To improve flowering of your plant, add phosphorus based fertilizer in the soil. Similarly, to make your plant healthy and resistant against diseases, Add potassium rich fertilizer in it.

Why Pruning Is Essential For Coleus Plant To Grow?

Pinching is as important as watering and feeding fertilizer with Coleus. It is recommended to pinch out newly growing stems form the top. It will not only help the plant to grow more branches, but these stems can also be used for further propagation.

Tip: Coleus if not pinched regularly, it will make the stems elongated and paralyze the process of growing new branches.

Spacing

Spacing in between the Coleus plants plays an important role in plant’s health. As growing them too close may interrupt the circulation of air and invites pests infestation.

In order to avoid such calamity, make sure they are planted 6 to 12 inches apart. As they grow and 3 feet tall and 3feet wide. So distance should be maintained and it must not be planted near other bushy plants.

Propagation Method For Coleus Plants

Coleus can be easily propagated via stem cuttings. It is observed that the plant roots out within 3 to 4 weeks. All you need is a sharp scissor, potting mix, plastic pot (preferably), and rooting hormone. Below are the steps you need to follow.

1. Cut a 4- to 5-inch long stems making the cut right under a leaf node.
2. Remove leaves from the lower part of the stem cutting and leave those on the top. This will aid rooting.
3. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone before planting it in the potting mix.
4. Moisten the potting mix and cover the container with plastic. Make sure that the plastic covering should not touch the cuttings.
5. Place these covered cuttings in a place where indirect sunlight can reach having a temperature above 70°F.
6. By keeping the soil moisten enough you will observe the roots have started developing within two to three weeks.
7. Remove the plastic and plant it in a container with ground soil and potting mix.
8. Place the newly planted Coleus in a bright, warm place for its optimum growth.
9. Water the plant wisely. As over watering or underwatering both can be injurious to plant’s health.

Potting A Coleus

Coleus spreads rapidly when given ideal conditions to grow. So it is recommended to use a pot that is slightly larger in size from the planter you have used for rooting its cuttings.

Squeeze out the Coleus roots gently so that they might not be damaged.

Loosen the roots if the plant is pot bound. It usually happens when you have used a pot to grow its stems.

Dig a hole of around 6 to 12 inches deep. Put the plant in the hole and layer the soil by firming it from all the sides.

Water it when you see the top layer of the soil has dried out completely.

Repotting precautions for Coleus

Plants are prone to shock when some changes occur in their environment. Repotting is one of them. Several reasons should be taken into consideration to repot your pant. Here is the list below.

It is a common myth to repot your Coleus every year.

Spring is the best season to repot your Coleus as they are in active phase of their growth.

Avoid repotting it in dormancy period specially in winters.

The plant’s growth may also become inactive due to various other reasons such as root rot, pests infestation and diseases. So try to figure out the exact cause and treat accordingly.

Repot the plant if you suspect root rot or you will lose your plant altogether.

Similarly in case of pests outbreak use anti pests sprays to repel them. Along with that change the soil as they might have laid eggs in it.

Common pests and diseases

Coleus, when compared with other plants are not that much weak to catch disease. They get affected by harsh weather conditions. Too much cold and heat can make the plant unhealthy and can attract pest infestation.

Wilting

Yellow leaves is a clear sign that the plant is suffering from any disorder. To prevent it from any long term loss try to sort it out as soon as possible. Watering technique is the key to avoid leaves wilting. Over or underwatered coleus will develop leaves that are pale in color.

Secondly, investigate if the size of your pot can fulfil the needs of your Coleus. The pot that is small in size will impact the growth of its roots negatively. So keep it in a pot that has enough space to support its growth. Congested roots of your Coleus will force the leaves to wilt.

leaf spores