Potted Coleus Care Tips On Growing Coleus In A Pot

Plant your coleus in a sturdy container that won't tip over if it does get to be 2 feet tall. Fill your container with well-draining soil and fertilize moderately. Be careful not to over fertilize, though, or your coleus in pots may lose their brilliant color. Water regularly, keeping the soil moist.

Does coleus like sun or shade?
How often do you water coleus?
Do coleus like to be misted?
What is the best fertilizer for coleus?
How long do coleus plants live for?
Why is my coleus dying?
How do I make my coleus more colorful?
Should I cut the flowers off my coleus?
Do coleus like to be root bound?
Is Coleus a good houseplant?
Can a coleus be a houseplant?

Does coleus like sun or shade?

Coleus thrive in cool, evenly moist, well-drained soil. Consistent moisture is good, but soggy conditions cause root disease. Watering should complement available sun. Some modern coleus varieties handle full sun, but most still flourish with at least dappled shade and direct sun limited to morning hours.

How often do you water coleus?

In hot months, coleus plants grown in pots outdoors will need watering once or twice a day. If grown indoors, watering every two or three days is usually sufficient unless the air inside your home or grow space is especially dry.

Do coleus like to be misted?

Coleus Humidity Needs

Most tropical plants need high humidity levels to survive, and the coleus plant is no exception. ... Unlike other tropical houseplants that require daily misting, you should avoid spritzing your coleus leaves. The water can leave marks on the velvety foliage and spoil the plant's appearance.

What is the best fertilizer for coleus?

At the early stages of growth, coleus root development can be affected by high salts. A good target for EC in the root media is below 1.0 mS/cm. Keep ammonium nitrogen levels in the root zone less than 10 ppm by choosing high-nitrate-based fertilizers like, 13-2-13, 16-2-15 or 15-5-15.

How long do coleus plants live for?

In a frost-free area, coleus normally lives for several years. In USDA zones 10 through 11, the winter is mild enough to plant coleus in the ground. Coleus appreciates moist soil that drains well. Keep it out of intense sun, as it easily scalds.

Why is my coleus dying?

If you notice your coleus wilting and the soil is dry, most likely it just needs water. ... Coleus over watering or coleus planted in waterlogged soil will suffer from root rot, which can kill your coleus. If your coleus has developed yellow leaves from too much water, it may be too late to save the plant.

How do I make my coleus more colorful?

Morning sun and afternoon shade is the rule of thumb for any coleus. But breeders have been introducing lots of sun-tolerant varieties that can take a lot more light than many of the older hybrids. Most have “solar” or “sun” in their names, and sport brighter reds and more vivid greens in their foliage.

Should I cut the flowers off my coleus?

Pinch just above a set of leaves or branching junction for the best appearance; don't leave a stub. Some gardeners leave the small flowers, but it's best to pinch them off to direct more energy into stem and foliage growth. Coleus left to flower may lose vigor as the plant puts energy into seed production.

Do coleus like to be root bound?

A root-bound plant will stop growing, so if you want to your Coleus at its current size, then you can keep it in its pot for an extended period, but eventually, its health will suffer, and you will need to give it more space to spread out its roots.

Is Coleus a good houseplant?

Grown as an annual throughout the United States and as a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11, coleus also makes a good houseplant that decorates an indoor environment with non-stop color.

Can a coleus be a houseplant?

Coleus is a petite houseplant grown almost exclusively for its bold, colorful foliage. Surprising to most, coleus plants are actually members of the Lamiaceae—or mint—family, and, like peppermint, their leaves are sometimes used for medicinal purposes (though they are not particularly tasty).