Coleus plants, also known as solenostemon, plectranthus or painted nettle plants, are grown for their velvety foliage that comes in combinations of bright red, burgundy, yellows, green, pink, brown and bronze.
Coleus look good in summer bedding schemes or as a filler at the front of a summer border, and are ideal for summer pots and containers. They are perfect for an exotic or jungle-style planting scheme. They can also be grown as house plants or in a conservatory.
Coleus is actually an ornamental member of the mint family, native to Indonesia. All species formerly in the Coleus genus have now been split into either Plectranthus or Solenostemon.
Coleus Varieties
Boundless varieties of coleus are available. Foliage colors include red, maroon, brown, cream, yellow, orange and green in dramatic combinations and designs. Leaf edges may be scalloped or ruffled and have a contrasting color.
Stunning new hybrids make choosing just one nearly impossible. Fortunately, we don’t have to choose. Coleus plant is easy to find in garden centers, and a cinch to grow from seed. It’s also practically foolproof to propagate from a plant — just cut off a stem and stick it in a glass of water.
How to Plant an Indoor Coleus
- Put some potting soil in the planter, put your little seedling in the pot, and cover the roots with potting soil.
- Find the spot that has the right amount of light. The intensity of the light your plant receives on a regular basis will determine the intensity of the foliage color, so place your new plant in a south window for several hours of bright sunshine daily.
- Choose a warm spot. Although they will adapt to somewhat lower temperatures, they will be at their best at around 75-80 degrees with moist (NOT soggy) soil. If you are fortunate enough to have a fluorescent grow light, by all means, use it for your coleus. The colors will become even more vibrant.
- Feed your coleus houseplant once a month with a liquid houseplant fertilizer, but dilute it as the package instructs.
- Flower buds should be pinched off, especially if your plant is struggling. A coleus plant is grown for its foliage, not for its flowers, so get them out of there quickly, as letting the plant flower and go to seed will sap its strength. Some gardeners leave them but if you pinch them off, the plant will have more energy for growth. Just keep pinching off the flower buds and your plant will thrive.
- If your plant becomes too leggy, pinching it off will help in that regard, as well. When tips are pinched off, the plant diverts its energy to the sides, making your plant full, bushy, and gorgeous.
Coleus Care
Members of the coleus genus are hardy and attractive plants available in a wide range of sizes and colors. Some varieties grow like small bushes, making them inappropriate for indoor locations, while many other varieties thrive indoors in pots under the right conditions, which includes ample light and humidity.
Although the growing guidelines described here make it possible to grow coleus indoors year-round, coleus is often grown as an annual and discarded once it becomes leggy (a problem that can often be contained by pinching off new growth).
Light
Coleus plants love bright light, though it’s best to avoid direct midday sunlight, which can scorch the delicate leaves. Your best bet is to find a windowsill or other spot in your home that gets direct sunlight in the morning and bright, filtered like in the afternoon. It will be a bit of a balance—too much sun can fade the plant’s colorful foliage, but too little can lead to less-than-vibrant hues.
Soil
Plant your coleus in a soil mixture that is moist but well-draining. Typically a generic potting mix will suffice just fine, but if you notice that you’re having issues with too-damp soil, you can amend your mixture with a bit of perlite or vermiculite to aid in drainage.
Water
It’s important that you keep the soil of your coleus plants continuously moist throughout the year, though you can typically reduce your watering cadence in the winter months. A coleus plant’s soil should never be allowed to dry out. To check and see if your plant is ready for a shower, stick your finger into the surface of the soil about two inches deep—if the soil you touch is dry, it’s time for watering.
Temperature and Humidity
Coleus plants prefer an average temperature above 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. In winter, they can tolerate a slightly lower temperature, though they should always be kept about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. High humidity is also preferred by the coleus, so try keeping your plant in a typically-humid room of the home, like the kitchen or bathroom. Otherwise, you can increase humidity by lightly misting the plant a few times a week (especially if it’s looking droopy) or investing in a small space humidifier.
Fertilizer
Though not a true necessity, coleus plants can benefit from feeding each spring with slow-release pellets, or weekly during their growing season with liquid fertilizer.
Coleus Problems
Pinch your plant. Coleus plants can get leggy. Pinch growing tips early and often to encourage them to branch out and stay bushy and full.
Keep it moist. Coleus leaves will wilt and may fall off if the soil is too dry. You’ll have a much healthier-looking plant if you keep the soil moist at all times. Use a pot with drainage holes and water thoroughly. Need a container? Check out the stylish self-watering pots available now. It’s just the thing to keep your coleus from wilting this summer.
Dropped leaves? Low light, dry soil or cold air can cause leaves to drop. Don’t worry — this vigorous plant will replace them when it gets what it wants.
Something bugging your plant? Aphids like to attack soft, new growth, which coleus has in abundance. Isolate an infested plant to avoid aphids moving on to your other houseplants. Treat it right away by spraying it with soapy water (mild dish soap works fine) or with insecticidal soap.