Coleus Adds Colour Indoors and Outdoors
Saturday, March 23, 2013 @ 3:45 AM
Coleus plants are gaining in popularity, especially with the new cultivars that are being introduced.
The coleus plant is a foliage plant that comes in a multiple of vibrant colours, colour patterns, and leaf type and size. Technically known as a soft perennial, they are grown most often as an annual, and the plants are found in the bedding plant section of the greenhouse in the spring, or the seeds are in the annual flower section.
As annuals they can be planted in the flowerbed or in containers. They can also be grown indoors as a houseplant and sometimes the foliage can be found in fresh floral arrangements making the coleus a very versatile plant.
Native to warm tropical areas they enjoy growing in warm temperatures and do not handle any frost. They are used to growing in partially shaded areas and make good shade plants but there are a few new cultivars that do better in sunny locations. Plant them in a rich, moist, well-drained soil. The soil should be kept moist, not soggy. If the soil becomes too dry the plant will wilt but a quick drink of water should help it recover, just don’t let it happen too often as it will harm the plant. For good looking plants, remove any flower buds as they appear. The flowers are not pretty and will take away from the plant, as it will begin to fade.
Coleus are propagated by seed or cuttings. Seeds are very fine and should be started in a fine starter mix. For best results use a plastic tray with inserts and water from the bottom of the tray allowing the moisture to soak up. A clear plastic dome placed over top of the tray would be helpful to get the seeds started and then removed once the seeds have germinated. Start seeds 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost, so start the seeds now and you will have plants ready to go outdoors by the end of May.
Cuttings can be done easily as Coleus cuttings root very easily. Use stems 8-10 cm long with at least one set of leaves on the top of the cutting. The cuttings can be placed in a soil mix or placed in water. It takes 10-14 days for them to root.
As the young seedlings grow, pinch out the tips, creating side shoots and a bushy, full plant. For the best results, harden off the young plants before they go outdoors by placing them outside in a protected area during the day and bring them in at night. Do this for a couple of weeks so that the plants become acclimatized. Using coleus in containers adds beautiful colour. They can be planted on their own or mixed in with other plants such as begonia, ferns, impatiens, etc.
Coleus plants have been used as houseplants since the late 1800’s and have come in and out of popularity. If you want to bring it indoors in the fall, do it before the first frost as they do not tolerate any frost. Only bring in healthy plants, and treat it with an insecticidal soap to kill any pests. Place it in a bright window where there is a high humidity. If the plant becomes leggy cut it back. The trimmed off stems can be used to make new cuttings.
Coleus plants are also known as ‘painted nettle’, or ‘flame nettle’ because of their beautiful foliage. They would make a beautiful addition to the landscape especially containers.
For year round enjoyment, Coleus would be the ideal plant as they grow indoors and out.
-Jos
Jos Van Hage owns and operates two Art Knapp Home and Garden Centres:
· Highway 16 West at Kimball Road
· Highway 97 north at Northwood Pulpmill Road
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