Yes, Coleus plants can survive indoors with proper care. The best sites for Coleus are those which are brightly lit but not receive direct sunlight. While Coleus can tolerate and even thrive in low light areas, too much shade can cause the plants to become leggy and lack vibrant color.
The ideal temperatures for Coleus range from 65-85 degrees Farenheit, and Coleus plants should be watered regularly and provided with adequate humidity. To increase humidity, use a pebble tray, mist it regularly, or keep it near a humidifier.
To keep coleus healthy, fertilizer should be applied every 6-8 weeks, and dead flowers and diseased foliage should be removed regularly. With proper care, Coleus can bring vibrant, bold colors to any indoor living space.
Does coleus make a good indoor plant?
Yes, coleus makes a great indoor plant. It is relatively low maintenance and grows well in a variety of environments, including low-light or shady areas. It comes in a wide variety of colors and shapes, so you can select one that matches your decor or needs for color and texture.
Coleus prefers moist soil and regular watering, with regular fertilization for maximum growth. To keep your plant healthy, it’s best to prune it back occasionally, to keep the shape compact and attractive.
With its generally low maintenance needs, coleus is a great option for busy households, or those without a lot of experience in gardening.
Can coleus live year-round?
Coleus plants (also known as Plectranthus scutellarioides) can be grown year-round if they have the right conditions. It is possible to keep coleus thriving if they have access to plenty of sunlight, warmth, and humidity.
Although it is a relatively easy plant to maintain, it does require a bit of special attention.
It is best to grow coleus in a south or east-facing window for optimal sun exposure. A high temperature is ideal for the plant, so it is suggested to keep it in an area with temperatures between 65-80 F.
Since the plant prefers an environment of high humidity, it is important to mist it multiple times a week. It is also beneficial to give the plant an occasional fertilizer boost and feed it a mild solution a few times throughout the year.
When the temperatures drop in the winter, coleus can survive, but needs special care in order to thrive. It is recommended to move the plant indoors to a warmer and more humid environment. Otherwise, the free-standing soil should be well drained, never too damp, and lightly fertilized.
If the temperature gets too cold, the leaves may become brown.
With the proper attention, coleus can be successfully grown year-round.
What is the lifespan of coleus?
The average lifespan of a Coleus, also known as a Flame Nettle or Painted Nettle, is two to three years. However, with proper care and attention a Coleus plant can last up to five years or even longer.
The major influencing factor in a Coleus’ lifespan is the amount of light it receives. Coleus plants need plenty of light to grow and thrive, and if they are placed in areas that lack light, their lifespan may be drastically reduced.
Another factor that affects the lifespan of a Coleus is how often it is watered. The soil must always be moistened, but overly damp soil can cause root rot, which can lead to an early death. Additionally, fertilizing the plant regularly is key to a longer lifespan, as it will give it the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
Do coleus come back every year?
Coleus plants are actually perennial plants, meaning they come back to life many years in a row. However, in areas with very cold winters, they may not survive the cold temperatures and need to be replanted annually.
In general, however, coleus is easy to care for and will usually return annually. To ensure they come back each year, it is advisable to keep the soil consistently moist and provide good drainage. During the winter months, they should be brought indoors or put in a sheltered spot so they are not affected by cold weather.
Once the winter is over, they can be replanted outdoors and will often start to regrow when exposed to warmer temperatures.
How do you winterize a coleus plant?
Winterizing a coleus plant can be done relatively easily to help get it through the cold season and prepare it for new growth when the weather warms up. The first step is to prune the plant, removing any dead or dying branches and shaping it as desired.
Next, cut back on the watering as the weather gets colder, transitioning to an infrequent deep-watering routine. Around the time of the first frost is when the plant should be brought indoors or covered with a frost blanket.
If bringing it indoors, it should be placed in an area with plenty of natural light but which is still cool. The plant should also be inspected for any pests which may have traveled indoors on the plant.
Finally, fertilization of the plant should cease until new shoots begin growing in the spring. Following these steps should help ensure a successful overwintering of your coleus plant.
Should I remove flowers from coleus?
The short answer to this question is “yes. ” When the flowers of coleus (also known as Plectranthus scutellarioides) have bloomed, they should be removed. Coleus is a flowering plant and the flowers are not necessary to keep the plant healthy or maintain its appearance.
Removing flowers from the plant will help it focus its energy on growing and will promote a compact, bushy look. Additionally, removing faded or dying flowers can also help to prevent self-seeding and unwanted volunteers.
To remove the flowers, use a pair of sharp, clean pruners or small scissors to snip the flower stems down to the soil level. Be sure to pinch or cut out entire flower stems all the way to the base. If the flowers are blooming in clusters, pinch them off at the stem level, ensuring that the stem connecting the flowers to the main stem is also removed.
When cutting or pinching the flowers, be careful not to damage the foliage or stems of nearby or neighboring plants.
Also keep in mind, if you don’t want your coleus to flower, place it in an area with partial to full shade in your garden. Flowering typically occurs when the plants receive too much direct sunlight.
When in bloom, coleus produces small clusters of colorful tubular flowers that come in a range of shades and hues. To maintain the plant’s desirable shrub-like shape, remove flowers as soon as possible.
Can coleus be planted in full sun?
Coleus is considered a shade-loving plant, so it does not generally do well with full sun exposure. Direct sun can cause sunscorch on coleus and can dry the plant out. In addition, hot sun exposure can cause the plant to grow more quickly, leading to weak and leggy stems.
If planted in full sun, the foliage will likely fade, and the foliage and stems may become spindly and limp. For this reason, coleus should be planted in a location that receives only morning sun or in a spot where it will receive a few hours of bright, indirect light.
If full sun exposure is unavoidable, it is important to take measures to adequately protect the plant, such as adding some shade cloth or mulch and keeping the soil evenly moist.
What eats holes in coleus leaves?
One of the most common culprits that can eat holes in coleus leaves is the caterpillar of the cabbage looper, or Trichoplusia ni. These caterpillars feed on many different plant species, including coleus.
They are light green or yellow-green in color and have a white band on their back. They can reach a maximum length of 1.25 inches and have a distinct looping behavior when moving. Other insects that can feed on coleus leaves include aphids, thrips, Colorado potato beetles, and grasshoppers.
These can all cause damage to coleus in the form of small holes or ragged edges on leaves. To protect your coleus from these pests, try planting varieties with resistant foliage, plucking affected leaves off the plant, introducing beneficial predators, or applying targeted pesticides.