They may come in yellows, greens, reds, and some even come in pinks or purples. Coleus is also easy to propagate; plants grown from seed will be new creations. Coleus Coleus are in danger of cold damage once the temperature drops to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants that are grown specifically for propagation, however, generally do not look as good as ones grown exclusively for their foliage. Surprisingly, they are members of the Lamiaceae, or mint family; and, like peppermint, their leaves are sometimes used for medicinal purposes (though they are not particularly tasty). Growing Coleus Indoors Do not keep your indoor coleus plants in the dark. Indoor coleus does best under the following conditions: You can propagate coleus by cuttings or by seed. Many varieties, however, thrive indoors in pots under the right conditions. Follow these step-by-step instructions to overwinter coleus plants, and learn how to care for coleus indoors over the winter. How do you pinch leaves? Treat a pest infestation with a premixed insecticidal soap. How to grow Coleus plant in pots Many people grow coleus plants in pots or gardens as an annuity plant. The soil should not remain wet all the time, but long dry spells will slow the plants’ growth, and the leaves will start to turn brown around the edges. So, if you notice flower buds starting to appear, pinch them off immediately. In hot months, coleus grown in pots outdoors will need watering once or twice a day. If you choose to grow coleus for more than one season, you might consider trimming the plant back after winter, refreshing the soil, and keeping it in the same pot. Follow these step-by-step instructions to overwinter coleus plants, and learn how to care for coleus indoors over the winter. How long do Hybridizing work within this group has been extensive—there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of cultivars. Coleus do extremely well with artificial lighting (i.e. Coleus tends toward brittle legginess, so they are best used in displays with other coleus or with other plants. But even if your garden is long on shade, it doesn't have to be short on color. The 60 species of coleus are native to Asia and Malaysia. They can be dug up and overwintered indoors, or you can take cuttings from your healthy plants to make additional stock for next season’s garden. How to Grow a Coleus Plant This is most likely one of the easiest plants to grow.Coleus roots easily enough for it to be started in a glass of water without any problems. This tender tropical plant has an amazing array of colors and leaf patterns. Coleus plant care indoors is thankfully not troubled too much with disease and pest problems, although they do exist, unfortunately. These plants tolerate full sun, partial shade, and are suitable for garden beds and borders. Starting from seeds, coleus takes 10 to 20 days to germinate. If you're in USDA zone 9 and want to keep your coleus over the winter, it's safest to plant it in a container and move it into a protected spot during chilly weather, or bring it indoors. Jul 25, 2017 - Overwintering coleus is easy! You can also start them from seeds indoors two or three weeks before the spring temperatures start climbing. A sunny, uncurtained window that faces west or south works well provided there's no roof overhang or other structure to block light and the area stays above 60 … You can also start them from seeds indoors two or Learn how to grow coleus indoors with these tips and tricks. Growing coleus plants indoors isn’t at all difficult but does require a few basic needs when it comes to light and temperature. If you love your coleus plants outdoors, you will go wild for them when they are grown indoors. Jon VanZile is a Master Gardener and the author of "Houseplants for a Healthy Home.". Sometimes these will get a little limp, but an hour or so after it gets shade it'll perk up. The energy of flowering usually saps the plant of some vitality, which is why many growers pinch off flowers. Indoor mosquitoes can live for quite a long time: Their lifespan in the house ranges anywhere from four days to a month . However, virtually all of the coleus available are derived from the single C. Blumei species, crossed with a few other species. One of the biggest culprits of both is overwatering so watering plants only when they need it will If they are grown indoors… Light: Coleus loves bright light, though it's best to avoid direct midday sunlight.Too Annuals are so-named for a reason: They generally bloom and grow for only one year, dying with the first autumn frost. Buy coleus for its foliage and don't worry too much about its parentage. In the cold season, you have to bring your plant indoors. This increases bushiness and maintains the shape of the plant. Keep it out of intense sun, as it easily scalds. Set plants out after all danger of frost is past. Keep them away from cold drafts and frost. How to Take Care of an Electric Lime Coleus, North Carolina State Extension Service: Coleus Scutellarioides, Care of Sun-Loving Coleus Over the Winter. Although outdoor-grown coleus plants usually prefer shade, they need extra light indoors to keep growing. Growing coleus indoors is definitely possible, provided you give it enough moisture, heat, and humidity. Given the color variations available today, you can find exactly what you love and will work in your home. How long will coleus live indoors? How long do coleus plants live for? Mulch Look for a spot where the plant gets bright morning sunlight but indirect light during the afternoon. Though coleus does produce spikes of lavender flowers, you'll appreciate it most for the colorful leaves, which typically look like a rounded triangle with scalloped edges. Coleus can easily be started from seed indoors about 10 weeks before the last frost date in your region. Coleus only flowers under ideal conditions, and rarely do these potted plants flower indoors. Choose a spot that is protected from wind. Coleus plants are tropical plants that thrive in warm temperatures and humid conditions. Watch out for fuzzy mealy bugs and the tiny webs of spider mites, both common pests on coleus grown indoors. In a frost-free area, coleus normally lives for several years. Plant them in a container at least 12 inches in diameter, and place them near a window that gets six or more hours of sunlight per day. Coleus likes bright light, but be careful of intense sunlight. One of the many joys of growing coleus is how easy they are to propagate. How long do coleus plants live for? Coleus branches break easily. Before your coleus succumbs to frost, take cuttings to root for indoor plants. Soil that is too dense may cause the roots to rot. How Long Do Mosquitoes Live In The House? The North Carolina State extension service describes coleus as a "tender perennial." Coleus plants have vibrant colorful foliage that can provide visual interest. After female mosquitoes are done biting, they will live up to three weeks in your home. With some of the most colorful foliage of any plant, coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) is a showstopper in a shady garden. In USDA zones 10 through 11, the winter is mild enough to plant coleus in the ground. If the plant goes into flower, snip off the flowers to encourage vitality, and pinch off growing tips to encourage bushiness. It's up to you if you want to let the plant flower. Other leaf shapes are frilly, skinny or deeply notched, depending on the cultivar. If you have a particularly beautiful specimen you want to enjoy year after year, take a cutting in fall. Coleus plants are known for their colorful, variegated leaves and can be excellent additions to an indoor or outdoor garden. If you live in an area with consistently warm temperature without threats of frosts or freezes, you can expect your coleus plants to thrive for several seasons. In a frost-free area, coleus normally lives for several years. Outside USDA zones 9 through 11, Cornell University suggests treating coleus as a beautiful spring-through-fall annual. Plant it in a container that is in a shady or partly shady area, and enjoy the beautiful display of color until the weather turns wintery. Refill the water as it evaporates. Coleus is unique in a way that it is fast growing, but fragile. Keep the plant pinched back to promote branching and a balanced shape. Learn how to start growing Coleus indoors today for a beautiful home. Coleus Plants for Sale - Large Selection of Brightly Colored Varieties - Satisfaction Guaranteed - FREE Shipping - Buy NOW - The healthiest plants start here! How Long Will a Coleus Live?. Coleus plants are grown almost exclusively for their colorful foliage. Coleus grown from cuttings will be identical to the parent plant, but plants grown from seed will be variable and might be quite different from the parent. When growing coleus indoors, they need bright but indirect light. Coleus plants grown for their leaves, not for their flowers and are prized for You can also clip off the flowers, as the plant sometimes becomes leggy after producing blooms. How Do I Grow Annuals Indoors?. As their name implies, Coleus plants are very gorgeous with their leave colors; they can be grown either outdoors and indoors and are too stunning … Coleus appreciates moist soil that drains well. Shady nooks require a different approach – and different plants – than sunny areas that burst with blooms. You may like the lavender flower stalks, of you may prefer to focus only on the colorful foliage. In USDA zones 10 through 11, the winter is mild enough to plant coleus in the ground. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Alternatively, you can repot into a pot one size larger. Coleus plants are truly in their glory in masses—with vibrant foliage available in many shades of green, purple, maroon, orange, red, pink, yellow, and in a striking array of patterns and leaf sizes. As a tropical plant, coleus can't bear a chill and will blacken and die once the weather dips much below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. A large coleus will reach 2 to 3 feet in height. If you are familiar with growing indoor tropical plants, they hold true to that pattern. Overwintering coleus plants is actually quite easy. The members of the coleus genus are hardy and attractive plants available in a wide range of sizes and colors. Step 5: The low light levels of mid-to-late winter are tough on coleus. Once you've had the pleasure of growing coleus, you'll want to enjoy it year-round. Vibrant, shade-loving coleus, also known as If foliage color fades, the plant is probably receiving too much sunlight. Oct 23, 2016 - Overwintering coleus is easy! By the time spring arrives and all danger of frost has passed, your cutting will be ready to plant in a container and enjoyed outdoors. If you can't bear to see your plant die, bring it inside for the winter and place it in a warm, sunny spot. If indoor coleus houseplants flowers, they go to seed and then die. Debra LaGattuta is a certified master gardener with decades of experience with perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. You'll soon see small roots appear. Outdoor Plants That Can Survive and Thrive Indoors Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp Updated: Oct. 02, 2020 Keep alive the beauty of your summer garden and patio plants by hosting them indoors … Look for hot pink, orange, lime green, burgundy, chocolate brown, yellow, lavender and even a purple so dark it looks black. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. How long do coleus take to grow? Coleus appreciates moist soil that drains well. Does coleus come They require attention to maintain a bushy, attractive appearance but grow easily in … Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Beside above, how often do you water coleus plants? This article will show you what to do. A coleus plant is hardy, able to survive in both a container indoors and in the soil outside. Some varieties grow like small bushes, making them inappropriate for indoor locations. Properly potted and cared for, coleus makes a beautiful addition to your houseplants. Coleus appreciates moist soil that drains well. If you live in the mildest winter areas of U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11, your coleus has a good chance of surviving the winter outdoors. They can be dug up and overwintered indoors, or you can take cuttings from your healthy plants to make additional stock for next season’s garden. Timelines will vary depending on the cultivar of coleus one is growing, but generally, they mature in about 50 days. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. The plant cannot tolerate frost. Additionally, you can grow them inside containers and bring them indoors In a frost-free area, coleus normally lives for several years. However, being a warm weather loving plant, it will not survive a harsh, cold winter. Set the clipping in a glass of water so only the bottom 1 inch or so is submerged, and keep the glass inside near a sunny window. They do well in shady spots, but their light requirements may vary depending on the species. Add liquid fertilizer to your watering can monthly throughout the spring and summer, at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 1 gallon of water, or at the rate noted on the label. Water it regularly, but don't let it sit in water or soggy soil. If the plant starts to lose its leaves, the environment is probably too dark or cold. Plant cuttings in moist potting soil, then keep them moist and warm until the new plants are established. Sunlight Coleus thrives in warm climate. Coleus is a spectacular houseplant anywhere. In USDA zones 10 through 11, the winter is mild enough to plant coleus in the ground. Keep your coleus looking beautiful through its growing season by pinching back the stem tips periodically. Coleus can easily be started from seed indoors about 10 weeks before the last frost date in your region. Coleus plants grow best in soil that is consistently moist though not soggy. It will live for many years if you position it near a bright window, safely away from drafts and intense heat sources. grow lights – see my lengthy With some of the most colorful foliage of any plant, coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) is a showstopper in a shady garden. 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). Clip a 3- to 4-inch piece of stem with at least two sets of leaves. Keep them away from cold drafts and frost. Coleus is a beautiful plant and makes a lovely addition any garden. They can live nearly 7 years in the ground if you live in USDA hardiness zone 10-11. By using The Spruce, you accept our, How to Grow and Care for Polka Dot Plants, 10 Top Outdoor Garden Plants That Thrive Indoors, How to Propagate Plants by Using Cuttings, 15 Red-Flowering Plants to Consider for Your Garden. They grow rapidly in the spring, but many people don't overwinter them, so they never bother repotting the plant. `` tender perennial. bushiness and maintains the shape of the many joys of growing coleus indoors the. 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Dark or cold to 30 degrees Fahrenheit had the pleasure of growing coleus, you want. To plant coleus in the ground if you notice flower buds starting to,! Treat a pest infestation with a great user experience drops to 30 degrees Fahrenheit and will work in home! Yellows, greens, reds, and humidity - Overwintering coleus is easy to focus only on the colorful.! Been extensive—there are literally hundreds, if you have a particularly beautiful specimen want! Plants available in a frost-free area, coleus takes how long do coleus plants live for indoors to 20 days germinate. Indoors isn ’ t at all difficult but does require a different approach – different.
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