To fully appreciate the beauty of coleus leaves changing colors, it’s best to plant them in an area that receives ample sunlight or partial shade. Keeping the soil consistently moist, but also well-drained is crucial for these plants to thrive. It’s worth mentioning that coleus are categorized as tender perennials, which means they won’t survive severe winter weather. In the United Kingdom, they are typically cultivated as annuals and should be planted outdoors during May when there is no possibility of frost. However, if you want to keep your coleus plants for more than one season, you can either bring them indoors before fall or take clippings in the summer to grow new plants the following spring.
If you’re planning to grow coleus, it’s essential to find an ideal location that gets adequate sunlight or partial shade. It’s also crucial to ensure that the soil is adequately moist but drains efficiently. With their short and vibrant appearance, coleus plants are a perfect choice for planting at the front of your garden bed or combining them with other bedding plants. You can even decorate your patio with coleus pots. For indoor cultivation, be sure to place your coleus in a bright area where it can get plenty of direct sunlight.
If you want to grow coleus, you can purchase young plants called ‘plug plants’ in early spring. For the best results, it’s advisable to grow them indoors until the weather warms up and then plant them outside in May when there is no risk of frost. Before planting, expose the plants to outdoor conditions for about a week to acclimate them. To prepare the soil, you can mix in some multi-purpose compost. Dig a hole slightly larger than the original pot, place the plant in it, and fill in with soil. Water thoroughly after planting. Alternatively, if you prefer to use a pot, dig a hole that matches the original pot’s size and depth. Plant the coleus at the same level as before and water well.
If you want your coleus plant to have a fuller appearance, try pinching out the central stem soon after planting it. It’s essential to keep the plant adequately hydrated during the summer months, especially if it’s in a container. If you choose to grow your coleus in outdoor pots, remember to transfer them inside before the first frost of fall arrives. However, if you prefer to grow them as bedding plants in the ground, taking cuttings in the summer will give you the advantage of having some plants for next year.
Propagating coleus plants can be an easy task if you follow the proper methods. If you plan to grow more coleus plants, summer is the perfect ᴛι̇ɱe to take cuttings and cultivate them. You can do this by taking cuttings and growing them in a greenhouse or conservatory for the next season. Here are some simple steps to follow when taking cuttings:
If you plan on growing coleus plants indoors or in a conservatory, it’s important to keep an eye out for pesky insects such as whitefly, mealybugs, and scale insects. While these diseases are not a concern when growing coleus plants outside, preventative measures can help prevent them from infesting your plants.