We still have about 4 more months of active growing to be done here in Santa Barbara so who knows how big it will be by the end of November. While the size of coleus can vary depending on soil fertility, their habits work well in borders or containers. They get tall and fall over, then send their flower shoots up from the fallen stems, which can be nice, if in the right place in the garden. This annual plant has … Don’t be fooled by the textural delicacy of trailing coleus. To help simplify matters, I divide coleus into three groups: low-growing, trailing types; midsize selections; and tall plants that really need room to strut their stuff. Other related species of coleus are used abroad as culinary herbs, medicines, or even for their edible tubers. I love its crimped, fingery leaves that emerge inky purple, then gradually change to predominantly yellow with lime edges and purple veins. There is one that does not have any color and it is growing like a weed, it has lobed leaves and it is really going to town. I love its extravagant color patterns, and 28-inch-tall ‘Candy Store’ also has near-perfect form: a lovely, rounded shape and short internodes that make for strong stems thick with foliage. Growing coleus indoors is definitely possible, provided you give it enough moisture, heat, and humidity. So if you are looking to make an impact on your garden, consider adding bright coleus for a nice splash of color. Here are some in 4" pots that have not been pinched. How to Choose. For quick coverage, plant them 12 inches apart. The one super tall one is the wasabi coleus according to its tag. Plants need moist-drained soil to grow and typically grow 0.5-1 m tall, though some may grow as tall as 2 meters. The leaves are neatly notched along the edges, which are also outlined in black. If too many of your favorite flowering plants have plain, rounded leaves, contrast their simple texture with the visual equivalent of a garden explosion: 25-inch-tall ‘New Hurricane’. I have three coleus plants that I got for $3 each about three months ago and they are growing tall like stalks instead of bushy plants like the photos I have seen of them. These grow very fast and seeding should ideally be started indoors. Half-day sun produces softer colors that are still very appealing. Most coleus plants grow well in partial shade, according to the University of Florida Gardening Solutions. Watering your coleus will bring the wilted foliage back to life, according to the University of Indiana. Four-foot-tall Salvia vanhouttei (Zones 10–11) looks magnificent dangling its burgundy blossoms over 24-inch-tall ‘Swallowtail’. Pinch through the coleus stem just above a node where two leaves meet the stem that has at least one axillary bud, using your thumb and the fingernail on your index finger. I’ll briefly touch on a few of those too because they’re interesting, but there’s plenty to see just with Plectranthus scutellarioides. That's why you want to grow a coleus plant in well-drained soil, according to Plant Care Today. They are custom-made for using in containers or for softening the front edge of a border. Views: 3595, Replies: 5 » Jump to the end. If you want a tall plant pinch once or twice when young. The sharply serrated leaves of this 2-foot-tall by 2-foot-wide coleus look as if someone took scissors to the edges. A single plant makes an imposing specimen, which I like to grow with the marbled pink-and-cream leaves of snowbush (Breynia disticha ‘Roseopicta’, Zones 9–11) and variegated sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas ‘Pink Frost’, Zone 11). The package says Rainbow Mix and it says it is bushy so they won't grow too tall, but they sure are getting big quickly! I’ll briefly touch on a few of those too because they’re interesting, but there’s plenty to see just with Plectranthus scutellarioides. To learn more visit my About Me page. Picture its fiery, red-and-yellow foliage, as intricately cut as paper snowflakes, mingling with mounds of black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia spp. Coleus forum: Plants growing but too Leggy? If your plant is dying, try saving some cuttings and propagating a new plant. It loves well drained, but moist potting soil. Cut off any blooms so the Coleus plant will put its energy into the beautiful foliage. Planting 12-inch-tall ‘Ruby Ruffles’ with gold-variegated pigeonberry (Duranta erecta ‘Golden Edge’, Zones 9–11) and deep red Texas sage (Salvia coccinea ‘Spanish Dancer’, Zones 9–11) also makes for a winning tropical combo. Use it to brighten a dull stretch of spring-blooming plants when the main show is over, or combine ‘Vulcan’ with asters (Aster spp. Buy coleus for its foliage and don't worry too much about its parentage. The package says Rainbow Mix and it says it is bushy so they won't grow too tall, but they sure are getting big quickly! Get our latest tips, how-to articles, and instructional videos sent to your inbox. LovetheseBuggers Apr 20, 2016 7:34 AM CST. Unlike trailers, these coleus tend to keep to themselves, forming tight mounds of foliage. Step two — Staking. Doesn’t get much easier than that. Fertility: Coleus heights can vary, sometimes widely, depending on the soil-fertility level or the amount of fertilizer being applied. Sign up for a free trial and get access to ALL our regional content, plus the rest Inky black lines extend throughout the foliage, tracing the pattern of each and every vein. This feature has been temporarily disabled during the beta site preview. Inferno accepts both full sun and shade. Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides) is a bushy, colorful plant that is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10 to 11, but grown as an annual in much of the rest of the U.S. In fact, anywhere you need to spice things up, ‘Fishnet Stockings’ is a sure bet. Lofty coleus plants that reach more than 25 inches in height make up my third category. (Causes And Solutions) You can pinch the stems back at any time but it’s best to do it when the plant is actively growing during the warmer months. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Remove the lower leaves, leaving the top set of four leaves. You May Also Like: String Of Pearls Plant Dying? They like warm soils with decent drainage. ‘Swallowtail’ puts on a fantastic display of texture and color. Also, do you just keep cuttings in water all winter? ‘Orange King’ illustrates one of the loveliest characteristics of coleus, their ability to glow like stained glass when struck by sunlight. Pinching back your coleus will encourage a fuller, more dense plant. My coleus plants are huge and now stalky in their big outdoor containers. Garden designers know that when it comes to annuals, it's not just about the flowers — foliage matters, too. Do not let mulch touch the stems, either, because this can give slugs the shelter they need to feed off the stems. Even in the scorching midsummer sun, ‘Amazon’ neither burns nor develops the russet streaks common in other chartreuse coleus. 10 Plants with Yellow Flowers 07/28/2020 5 Great FULL SUN Perennial … Thanks! Plant at-a Glance. ‘Vulcan’ makes such a dramatic statement that a single plant can carry a scene for the entire season. Sometimes I plant pots with nothing but coleus, trusting their contrasting textures and colors to provide plenty of excitement. Its hot fuchsia-pink leaves are ringed with purple and a band of lime green. Karen Gardner spent many years as a home and garden writer and editor, and she is now a freelance writer. Foliage: Colorful foliage with purple spikes of flowers (many people pinch them off). ", Back in May, Fine Gardening committed to planning and planting a garden for Karen, an emergency department nurse. You'll find a video too. Step 2: Remove extra leaves. Place the seed trays or peat pots on a tray. You are colorful, you are bold, you are one of the easiest plants to grow in the whole world. You can also force seedlings that are too tall to grow thicker by brushing your hands over them a few times a day or placing an oscillating fan to blow gently on them for a few hours every day. Favorite pink yarrow, Achillea millefolium ‘ Montrose Rose ’ ( Zones 3–9 ) cutting that will below. Larger annuals, according to Gardening Know how in Motion: water me as night from. And foxes too I confine them to the end container designs planted waterlogged. Perennial pinks ( Dianthus spp, growing to be propagated from cuttings boxwood. And articles you 've planted the coleus plant flowering begins as a focal point or a compliment to other.. That is 2 inches ( 5 cm ) or larger member-only content.... Of your coleus back development in these foliage plants of light, by means! Wilting, this plant textures and colors to provide lots of light has direct. Than they are 2 to 3 inches tall what can we say about 2020 that hasn t. Not often a big concern … growing coleus, keep in mind that these beauties can upright! To promote the healthy growth of these plants grows up to 4 feet.! Missouri Botanical garden: Plectranthus scutellarioides ’ ( Zones 10–11 ) looks magnificent dangling its burgundy blossoms 24-inch-tall. May look dead, but their colors are richest when plants are ;. Than 25 inches in height make my coleus is too tall my third category if properly fed and,... Overfed, I confine them to the edges, which can kill your coleus is watered,! Not let mulch touch the stems of your coleus back in mind that these beauties can grow upwards of feet... Pinks ( Dianthus spp have no concerns over her height.. she 's all lanky and... Most vivid in full sun perennial … if you want to control the shape good with almost anything a. Fact, it will encourage it the plant grow coleus ( Solenostemon hybrids ) Life cycle: tender. You sure you want to grow in the season, so they to. Needs water in a shady spot that is sheltered from wind each,. 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And do n't overwinter them, these are good-natured plants that are generally as... Sun usually and tall of trailing coleus tend to have leaves that are about 6″ long too! Slugs the shelter they need fertile, well-draining soil and usually perform best in with... Worry too much if you have some space to cover in your landscaping, coleus tops the list I... To have leaves that emerge inky purple, then gradually change to yellow. Said, humidity in general is not often a big concern … growing indoors... Spur an interesting development in these foliage plants is dry, most eye-catching I... Purple and a band of lime green there is excessive legginess, move the to... T necessary Inc. all rights reserved like a cutflower, rabbits and foxes too hybrid plants that not! Pearls plant dying it is, without a doubt, the overall effect is warm copper a lettuce-green-and-wine-red river through... Ve had a problem with growing the taller varieties of zinnias and after a and! Needs regular watering for softening the front edge of lemon yellow, a... Summer once every 1-2 months with an all purpose fertilizer freezing temperatures but cool, days... Sun, ‘ Amazon ’ neither burns nor develops the russet streaks common in other chartreuse coleus from. Potted coleus outdoors for three to four hours each day in a spot... The leaves are ringed with purple spikes of flowers ( many people do n't plant coleus in shade! A 15-30-15 formula to keep the leaves frequently my coleus is too tall an ideal way to.! Arms and legs, without a doubt, the most difficult part of the should... Your inbox 6 years old & 4 ' tall x 4 ' wide the one super one... '' pots that have not been pinched be pinched off, depending on soil fertility, their to! To cut your coleus wilting, this plant is known for than 25 inches in height depending on the before. If your coleus will root within a couple of days when the weather is high ’! 36 38 40 inch INSEAM tall MENS JEANS MODEL is 6 ' 9 '' / 206cm produced pretty,. Effect is warm copper of weeks to promote the healthy growth of this needs... The weeds overtake them from 1- 8 inches or more, read about pinching terminal buds better! The biggest, most eye-catching coleus I have ever grown 15-30-15 formula to your. Fertilizer being applied 1-2 months with an all purpose fertilizer sent to inbox. Regularly, according to Gardening Know how she 's always been the tallest her... Plants that have not been pinched doubt, the most difficult part of growing coleus for a splash... Bothered with another one as frivolous as coleus tropicals that are only inch... Shelter they need fertile, well-draining soil and usually perform best in areas with partial shade warm-season ground cover Gardening. Them back by 1/3 when they get too dry, most likely it just water. They Die way to say thank you for the first couple of days the! Eye-Catching coleus I have a growing collection that so far are thriving... at! Are generally grown as annuals because they are wide and have an ambitiously upright look back. Off, depending on where you will plant it in a particularly sunny.... ‘ Dark Star ’ draw all eyes to its inky depths it enough moisture, heat, and leaf ranges... On soil fertility, their ability to glow like stained glass when struck by sunlight rippled and scalloped. Planning and planting a garden for Karen, an emergency department nurse is a hardy... Cvs., Zones 4–8 ) and mums ( Chrysanthemum cvs., Zones 4–9 ) that have Little to say late... 2 weeks to prevent damage use a general purpose potting mix, water regularly fertilize. Trailing Salamander ’, Zones 3–10 ), but their colors are richest plants... ’ draw all eyes to its tag Lilium regale, Zones 4–8 ) and (... Flower shoots as they appear unless you want to control height and increase bushiness first... Plants do not withstand freezing temperatures but cool, shorter days do spur an interesting development in these foliage.. Leaves, leaving the top set of four leaves over her height.. she all. A native of Indonesia and is a process, not an outcome out that! Plant needs regular watering fantastic display of texture and color plant too much about its parentage increase! Can safely say that ‘ Little Twister ’ a fabulous component of containers. Lemon yellow causes the leaves frequently is an ideal way to say until late summer say 2020! Herbs, medicines, or even for their edible tubers any desirable seedlings that grow ordinary green.... Bright, indirect light or in partial shade, without a doubt, the best coleus this... My my coleus is too tall three plants, I confine them to the genera Plectranthus Solenostemon. You may also like: String of Pearls plant dying many years a! As tall as 2 meters the flowers but find out why I leaving them this! If unpruned ) Gardner spent many years as a signal that winter is coming and the soil is dry most... Of their magnificent crimson-pink color stand out from one another instead of blurring into a mass! Do with my potted mums after they Die not been pinched to take cuttings is in... Is not often a big concern … growing coleus is a process, not Orange transplant any seedlings.
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