Coleus Plant
The Coleus plant enjoys popularity among gardeners for inclusion in their outdoor gardens and as an indoor plant.
This popularity is due to the varied colour of its leaves along with the wide range of varieties to choose from.
Coleus foliage colours range from light yellowish, green and pink, to deep and dark red, purple and even purplish-black. You can also find chartreuse and orange Coleus varieties.
The texture of the leaves is different depending on the variety. Having a wide range of colors, Coleus adds a nice ornamental touch to the garden, especially through the periods when flowering plants are not in bloom.
If you choose to grow Coleus indoors, make sure the plant gets enough bright light.
If planted outside, depending on personal preferences, and the way the plant is grown, Coleus can resemble a tree or a compact bush.
The height of Coleus plants range from six to thirty six inches. You can place Coleus in a flower bed, use to line up garden borders, or grow them in containers. However they are grown, the beauty of their foliage can be enjoyed from spring right up to the autumn.
Coleus plants are cultivated all over the world, but originally it is native to Africa and the southeastern regions of Asia. This means that Coleus, in spite of being quite hardy, prefers a warmer climate.
Soil
Coleus plants require good rich soils to demonstrate their best, but just average soil will be quite sufficient. Coleus prefers being watered regularly. Keep the soil moist as the plant has a tendency to droop quickly if it gets too dry. Remember to fertilize the soil.
How to Grow Coleus Plant
Coleus plants are rather shade loving but at the same time they need bright light. So, make sure they are in shade in the hottest part of the day, but not deprived of sunlight completely. To encourage growth of the leaves it is recommended to cut off the flowers at regular intervals, as they are not particularly attractive.
Coleus Plant Propagation
It is possible to grow this plant from seeds but, as with many other decorative plants, this method is not that popular. It is a longer process to grow a plant form seed and the final results may not very satisfactory.
A new plant grown from seed does not always resemble the original plant in relation to height and characteristics of foliage. It is preferable to grow new plants from cuttings of the original.
This method works for many plants, and the biggest advantage of it is that the new plant replicates the colors and other features of the old one.
In case of Coleus, remember that it is an annual, which is why it is better to take the cuttings before the beginning of frost.
Grow them inside over the winter and plant in the garden in early spring. New cuttings usually fill plant pots with roots very quickly.
There are no special requirements for transplanting Coleus plants, just take them out of the pot and plant in the soil.
Coleus
To Summarise
Coleus will provide season long color and texture to your shade garden. There are many varieties to choose from so you won’t become bored. They have beautiful colors; red, pink, chartreuse, green and orange. Their texture is varied.
Coleus plant will grow 6 to 36 inches tall. Whether you plant them in a bed, border, container or window box, they show breath-taking color Spring through to Fall.
Coleus plant is easy to propagate by taking cuttings and growing them indoors over the winter. This plant is an annual in most of the country, so you’ll want to take your cuttings before the first frost.
