Do coleus plants survive winter?

A coleus plant is hardy, able to survive in both a container indoors and in the soil outside. However, being a warm weather loving plant, it will not survive a harsh, cold winter. When the weather begins to turn cold you will need to take some precautions to ensure a healthy coleus in the spring.

Then, do coleus plants come back every year?

Outside USDA zones 9 through 11, coleus is a beautiful spring-through-fall annual. As a tropical plant, coleus can't bear a chill and will blacken and die once the weather dips much below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep your coleus looking beautiful through its growing season by pinching back the stem tips periodically.

Likewise, do coleus plants die in winter? Sun-loving coleus will die at the first hard frost. Like other coleus, they are generally grown as annuals. An efficient way to care for these plants for the winter is to take cuttings before night temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Considering this, how do you winterize a coleus plant?

The basic idea for overwintering coleus is to cut pieces off your coleus plant, root them, plant them in pots and keep them growing in a sunny window through winter until it's time to plant them outside in spring.

What is the lowest temperature Coleus can tolerate?

Caring for your new plants: All Coleus are tender and cannot survive freezing temperatures. It is best not to place them outside for the season until they have been hardened off and the average overnight low temperatures stay above 60 degrees. This might be a few weeks after your last average spring frost date.

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Should coleus be cut back?

Pinch Back and Prune

Without regular pruning, coleus plants can get "leggy" and unattractive. As long as you prune and cut them back faithfully, your coleus should stay bushy and handsome. Cut off any blooms that appear so the plant will put its energy into the foliage.

How do you get seeds from a coleus plant?

Tie a colorful string or yarn around one or two of the healthiest coleus plants.
Harvest seeds when the petals have dropped from the flowers and the remaining seed pods are plump, dry and brown.
Snip the seed pod with scissors or garden shears.
Place the sack in a cool, dry location.

Can you plant coleus in the ground?

Soil is not an issue, but drainage is.

Coleus grow readily in rich to poor soils—ranging from peaty sand to rocky clay—but prefer moist, well-drained soil. Dry soil will result in wilting. One problem they won't recover from is root rot, so don't grow them in poorly drained areas.

How tall does coleus grow?

They're vigorous growers and leaf size ranges from 1- 8 inches or more, and plants can grow up to 36 inches tall. They have endless variations in color, shape and patterns, and work well as a focal point or a compliment to other plants. Most coleus plants should be grown in bright, indirect light or in partial shade.

Should you let Coleus Flower?

Alternately, you can let the blooms grow and produce seeds. If a coleus plant has flower spikes, simply wait until the petals fall off and a small fruit is formed. Coleus plants are easy to start from seed, either indoors or outside when temperatures are at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 C.).

Is coleus plant poisonous to cats?

Coleus contains an essential oil toxic to cats and dogs, which can cause skin irritations and burns if not diagnosed and treated right away. Additionally, if your cat eats any part of this plant, it will also develop gastrointestinal symptoms.

How do you take cuttings from coleus?

How to grow coleus from cuttings

Step 1: Take a coleus cutting. Take a cutting from a mature coleus plant: Look for stems that are 4 to 6 inches in length.
Step 2: Remove extra leaves. Remove the lower leaves, leaving the top set of four leaves.
Step 3: Put coleus cuttings in water.
Step 4: Watch the coleus root.
Step 5: Plant rooted cuttings.

Does coleus like sun or shade?

Conditions: Coleus are tender tropicals that are generally grown as annuals because they are hardy only in USDA Hardiness Zone 11. They like warm soils with decent drainage. They are not happy in overly dry conditions. Coleus will grow in full sun to medium shade, but their colors are most vivid in full sun.

Do coleus plants spread?

Do not crowd coleus close together. They spread out to about 16 inches across, so keep the leaves from shading each other by planting at least 12 inches away from each other in the garden. Some coleus prefer bright sun, but most do best and achieve the most vivid color in partial shade.

How do you look after coleus in the winter?

Given adequate light, coleus overwinters easily indoors. Dig up healthy plants in the fall, just before cold weather hits. Make sure you get as much of the root system as possible. Pot your plants in suitable containers with well-draining soil and water them thoroughly.

Can you save coleus seeds?

Squash all of the seed pods with your fingers to break them open. The ripe coleus seeds will pop easily out of the pods. Store the coleus seeds in a paper envelope in a cool, dry location out of direct light until you're ready to plant them in the spring.

What could be eating my coleus leaves?

Coleus plants are sometimes attacked by mealy bugs, which resemble bits of white fuzz, though they may also be infested with whiteflies, aphids, spider mites and slugs. Pests can cause spots and holes in leaves, as well as stunt growth and reduce plant vigor.

How do you keep coleus alive?

Start by placing your coleus in bright shade on days when temperatures are above sixty degrees. Bring them back in at night if temperatures drop below 55 degrees F. Gradually ease the plants into more sun, making sure to keep up with their increasing water needs. Don't drown them, though.

Is Coleus perennial or annual?

Coleus (Solenostemon spp. or Plectranthus spp.), however, are instead grown for their striking foliage, which helps make a bold garden statement. They are tender perennials, typically grown as annuals outside their native Southeast Asia. Are Coleus Plants Perennial Flowers?

How do you take care of a coleus plant indoors?

Indoor Coleus Care

Water regularly to keep the soil slightly moist – never bone dry and never soggy.
Feed the plant once every week or two during spring and summer, using a water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength.
Place the pot on a tray with a layer of wet pebbles if the air in your home is dry.

How do you look after a coleus plant?

Fill your container with well-draining soil and fertilize moderately. Be careful not to over fertilize, though, or your coleus in pots may lose their brilliant color. Water regularly, keeping the soil moist. Keep them out of the wind to avoid breakage.

Are coleus plants poisonous?

While coleus plants are nontoxic to humans, the essential oils they contain are toxic to pets. If a dog or cat eats coleus plant parts, it could cause symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, depression and loss of appetite.