However, being a warm weather loving plant, it will not survive a harsh, cold winter. The plant cannot tolerate frost. Coleus plant care indoors is thankfully not troubled too much with disease and pest problems, although they do exist, unfortunately. Indoor coleus does best under the following conditions: You can propagate coleus by cuttings or by seed. Keep the plant pinched back to promote branching and a balanced shape. You can also start them from seeds indoors two or You can also start them from seeds indoors two or three weeks before the spring temperatures start climbing. Additionally, you can grow them inside containers and bring them indoors Hybridizing work within this group has been extensive—there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of cultivars. Some varieties grow like small bushes, making them inappropriate for indoor locations. If indoor coleus houseplants flowers, they go to seed and then die. Starting from seeds, coleus takes 10 to 20 days to germinate. After female mosquitoes are done biting, they will live up to three weeks in your home. If you love your coleus plants outdoors, you will go wild for them when they are grown indoors. Follow these step-by-step instructions to overwinter coleus plants, and learn how to care for coleus indoors over the winter. 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. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. 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. Although outdoor-grown coleus plants usually prefer shade, they need extra light indoors to keep growing. Coleus © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. In USDA zones 10 through 11, the winter is mild enough to plant coleus in the ground. One of the many joys of growing coleus is how easy they are to propagate. Coleus is unique in a way that it is fast growing, but fragile. If you are familiar with growing indoor tropical plants, they hold true to that pattern. Coleus plants grow best in soil that is consistently moist though not soggy. 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. Learn how to grow coleus indoors with these tips and tricks. 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). They grow rapidly in the spring, but many people don't overwinter them, so they never bother repotting the plant. 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. One of the biggest culprits of both is overwatering so watering plants only when they need it will Plants that are grown specifically for propagation, however, generally do not look as good as ones grown exclusively for their foliage. Does coleus come 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. When growing coleus indoors, they need bright but indirect light. Set plants out after all danger of frost is past. The members of the coleus genus are hardy and attractive plants available in a wide range of sizes and colors. The 60 species of coleus are native to Asia and Malaysia. They may come in yellows, greens, reds, and some even come in pinks or purples. Coleus appreciates moist soil that drains well. Indoor mosquitoes can live for quite a long time: Their lifespan in the house ranges anywhere from four days to a month . You may like the lavender flower stalks, of you may prefer to focus only on the colorful foliage. Coleus can easily be started from seed indoors about 10 weeks before the last frost date in your region. Mulch They can live nearly 7 years in the ground if you live in USDA hardiness zone 10-11. In a frost-free area, coleus normally lives for several years. How long do 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. 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). This tender tropical plant has an amazing array of colors and leaf patterns. This article will show you what to do. How to Take Care of an Electric Lime Coleus, North Carolina State Extension Service: Coleus Scutellarioides, Care of Sun-Loving Coleus Over the Winter. Beside above, how often do you water coleus plants? 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. How to grow Coleus plant in pots Many people grow coleus plants in pots or gardens as an annuity plant. Alternatively, you can repot into a pot one size larger. Many varieties, however, thrive indoors in pots under the right conditions. grow lights – see my lengthy How Do I Grow Annuals Indoors?. You'll soon see small roots appear. Keep them away from cold drafts and frost. In USDA zones 10 through 11, the winter is mild enough to plant coleus in the ground. How long do coleus take to grow? Coleus is a beautiful plant and makes a lovely addition any garden. If you have a particularly beautiful specimen you want to enjoy year after year, take a cutting in fall. Coleus is also easy to propagate; plants grown from seed will be new creations. If the plant starts to lose its leaves, the environment is probably too dark or cold. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. You can also clip off the flowers, as the plant sometimes becomes leggy after producing blooms. Coleus do extremely well with artificial lighting (i.e. They do well in shady spots, but their light requirements may vary depending on the species. Jon VanZile is a Master Gardener and the author of "Houseplants for a Healthy Home.". Coleus appreciates moist soil that drains well. Sometimes these will get a little limp, but an hour or so after it gets shade it'll perk up. Refill the water as it evaporates. Timelines will vary depending on the cultivar of coleus one is growing, but generally, they mature in about 50 days. Shady nooks require a different approach – and different plants – than sunny areas that burst with blooms. However, virtually all of the coleus available are derived from the single C. Blumei species, crossed with a few other species. Coleus plants grown for their leaves, not for their flowers and are prized for Watch out for fuzzy mealy bugs and the tiny webs of spider mites, both common pests on coleus grown indoors. Coleus only flowers under ideal conditions, and rarely do these potted plants flower indoors. Coleus are in danger of cold damage once the temperature drops to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Coleus plants are known for their colorful, variegated leaves and can be excellent additions to an indoor or outdoor garden. Follow these step-by-step instructions to overwinter coleus plants, and learn how to care for coleus indoors over the winter. With some of the most colorful foliage of any plant, coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) is a showstopper in a shady garden. Coleus plants have vibrant colorful foliage that can provide visual interest. 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 … Properly potted and cared for, coleus makes a beautiful addition to your houseplants. Keep your coleus looking beautiful through its growing season by pinching back the stem tips periodically. Keep it out of intense sun, as it easily scalds. Coleus tends toward brittle legginess, so they are best used in displays with other coleus or with other plants. Jul 25, 2017 - Overwintering coleus is easy! They require attention to maintain a bushy, attractive appearance but grow easily in … How Long Do Mosquitoes Live In The House? 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. How do you pinch leaves? Other leaf shapes are frilly, skinny or deeply notched, depending on the cultivar. 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 … Coleus plants are tropical plants that thrive in warm temperatures and humid conditions. Coleus branches break easily. Water it regularly, but don't let it sit in water or soggy soil. 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 … Vibrant, shade-loving coleus, also known as If you can't bear to see your plant die, bring it inside for the winter and place it in a warm, sunny spot. Reds, and rarely do these potted plants flower indoors if foliage color,! Or three weeks before the spring, but be careful of intense sun, the. 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