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Coleus

Botanical Name
Solenostemon scutellarioides
Hardiness
Zones 10 to 11, grown as annual elsewhere
Height
6 to 24 inches
Width
12 inches
Flowers
Grown for foliage, remove flowers as soon as they appear
Light
Full to part shade (sun)
Soil
Moist, organic
Planting & Care
  • Space plants 10 to 12 inches apart
  • Remove flowers as soon as they appear. This will encourage new branches to form, giving you a fuller, more compact plant.
  • Coleus can be overwintered indoors. Take 3 to 4” cuttings and root in moist vermiculite or a well-drained potting mix. I find setting the pot in a plastic bag left open increases the humidity to encourage rooting without leading to rot. Once rooted, they can be moved to their permanent container, placed in a sunny location and grow as a houseplant.
  • You can also bring the whole plant indoors and raise it like a houseplant. Grow in a bright, sunny window or under artificial lights and keep the soil moist. Don't be alarmed if the plant drops most of its leaves. It will soon send out new leaves more suited for its indoor location.
Problems
None serious, mealybug, mites, aphids, scorch, can become leggy
Varieties
  • Solar Sunrise, Cranberry Salad, Hurricane Series - sun lovers
  • Kong - big leafed
  • Saber - long leaves
  • India Frills - small leaves and compact
  • Fiji Series - fringed leaves
  • Main Street Beale Street - red foliage that holds its color, upright bushy 24-36", grow in full sun or full shade, AAS Winner

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