To grow a new Coleus, take a stem cutting from the mother plant of around five inches in length. If they’re coleus you can pick up the pieces, stick them in water in a glass or jar and soon you’ll have rooted coleus cuttings ready for pot soil. Not to mention it is one of the easiest plants to grow, propagate, and share with friends! Light rich soil, but not over-fertilized, with a topsoil sifted through a piece of screen wire so it is quite fine. Once you see roots grow, you can transplant the coleus cuttings into soil. Coleus plants or painted nettle has the botanical name Coleus blumei. They need light to germinate, so gently press them into the potting mix, but do not cover. Coleus Water Propagation. Coleus are popular plants for good reason. Place the container in partial shade and warm place to await germination. They may be satiny smooth or ruffled, crepey and pebbly, scalloped or picoted, in texture. The answer is, yes, and quite easily. Naturally, the more kinds blooming at once, the more possibilities for crosses to produce plants of different appearance. We'll respect your privacy and unsubscribe at any time. If needed, use toothpicks of sticks to keep the plastic off the cutting. This makes growing coleus seedlings particularly interesting. Cover the container with plastic and place in a warm spot in bright, indirect light. Keep the soil moist as the seedlings grow. You will know it is rooted when you see new growth on the coleus cutting. Lightly sprinkle the coleus seeds over the soil. How to grow healthy Coleus: sun, … Prepare the soil you will be rooting the coleus cutting in by making sure that it is thoroughly moistened. Plant your coleus seeds into moist potting soil and cover the pot with a layer of plastic wrap. Set the container in warm water so that moisture comes from the bottom and will not disturb the seed. Propagation of Coleus plants is fairly simple. Coleus propagation can be done by seed, but be aware that seeds will not produce plants identical to the parent plant, advises Cornell University. Plants should be protected from heavy rains, very hot sunlight, and high winds, for some time, and those with creepy foliage are subject to storm damage at any age. Seedling coleus usually produces well-shaped plants, with uniform branches. Even a badly battered mature coleus plant will put out new growth, particularly if it can be moved to an outdoor location. With its bright leaves and tolerant nature, many gardeners wonder if coleus propagation can be done at home. Containers should be filled well so seedlings will not become full of stems reaching for the bright light. If your plants get a good case of this gnawing little horror, pull out the whole mess; then buy a packet of seed and grow some new plants. Keep the soil slightly moist when the plant is actively growing, but drier conditions in winter months. I’ve had seedlings with slender crumpled leaves showing the green and tan color, and ruffled ones in various combinations of pink and tan. Large or small, coleus should never be crowded, and seedlings should be transplanted promptly to prevent crowding. Once the seedlings are large enough to be handled (typically when they have two sets of true leaves), they can be transplanted to individual containers. Method #1. Specimen container garden plants should be turned frequently and judicious pinching of new growth stimulates denseness. Although coleus seeds may be sown at any time of the year when warmth can be furnished, seeds sown during February will produce plants of just the right size for outdoor use in May. Clean pair of scissors or shears, cut off as many coleus cuttings as desired. The cuttings root easily in water and produce plants identical to the parents. Plants unsatisfactory in leaf form or color should not be permitted to bloom, though they may be kept for a single season. When dry, the seed may be rubbed out between the hands, and freed of chaff by blowing lightly. Fill your seed flats or containers with potting mix and place three or four of the tiny seeds on top of the soil. For example, having a plant with plain smooth leaves of green, with tan center marking and pinkish reverse, and others with slender, partially crumpled brightly colored leaves, and others with ruffled leaves. You will wonder what possible cross or hidden ancestry produced the variations. After the soil is quite smooth, and wet thoroughly, sprinkle the seed very thinly on top of the moist soil, and sift over them just enough of the finest soil to hide the seed from sight. After you have spread the coleus seeds, cover them with a fine layer of potting soil. Planting coleus with lantana and impatiens You can buy coleus as ‘plug plants’ (young plants) in early spring. Planting Coleus can easily be started from seed indoors about 10 weeks before the last frost date in your region. Coleus will readily root in a cup of water. Try coleus indoors, particularly in your busiest living area for they are wonderfully savable. For some coleus seed to get you started check out this Rainbow Coleus Seed Mix from Botanical Interests (Aff.) For best results, plant the seeds indoors, 8–10 weeks before the last frost is expected in your area. No amount of pinching out buds will long delay the inevitable sprouting of buds all over the plant. Coleus seeds are usually found in mixtures, offering several varieties of colors and sizes in one seed mix. Coleus seed scatters easily, and the pods should be removed as soon as they turn slightly yellow. Seed collection. Start this method of coleus propagation by finding a mature coleus plant. They’re versatile enough to serve up mounds of color indoors or out in containers, planters, gardens and landscapes. Mixing the seeds with fine sand before sowing can help you to spread the seeds more evenly with a bit more of a gap between the seeds. Coleus is one of several very easy plants to propagate and here are 10 more for you to check out: 10 EASY Plants to Propagate! They are native to South East Asia and are available in a wide range of leaf shapes, sizes and colours including lime greens to the brightest pinks. Related Reading: Coleus Care Questions & Answers. The first step is to choose a plant that is healthy and to make sure there does not appear to be any pests or diseased plant material you will be working with. Check out – When Should You Thin Seedling and Why? They should immediately have plenty of light, with direct sunlight when not too hot, but at no time should the potting mix dry out, as the plants have very shallow roots. Start sowing coleus seed with a flat or container with a damp potting soil. No cause for concern when overzealous pets or youngsters in a fast game of indoor ball devastate your plants. If you plan to start them indoors, sow them 8 - 10 weeks before you want to plant outside. While plants do grow quickly and use much moisture, extreme wetness, especially if conditions are cool, will cause rotting. The seedlings have a characteristic appearance, and are easily recognizable, once one has seen them. Next, remove all of the leaves from the lower half of the cutting. Coleus Plant Has Flower Spikes: What To Do With Coleus Blooms, Winterizing Coleus: How To Overwinter Coleus, Coleus Care - Information On Growing Coleus, How To Dry Roses - Ways To Preserve Dried Roses, What Is A Tuscan Sun Rose – Tips On Tuscan Sun Rose Bush Care, How To Press Roses Flat - Preserving Pressed Roses, Rain Garden Instructions: What Is A Rain Garden And Rain Garden Plants, Toxic Plants To Dogs – Plants That Are Poisonous To Dogs, Growing And Care Of Mexican Bird Of Paradise Plant, Why There's No Beautiful Rose Garden In My Yard, Growing Zone Woes - The Challenges Of Eastern Pacific Northwest Gardening. When you see the coleus seedlings, remove the plastic. An easy method for planting the seed is to mix it with a bit of finely screened peatmoss or clean, dry sand and sprinkle over the seedbed. Coleus stems are thick and juicy, with visible nodes up and down them. Coleus seeds are fairly easy to find and should be available at nearly any store that sells flower seeds. When you set seedlings outdoors they may need to be shaded for a few days; but once they are established, they can stand plenty of sunlight, and it seems to make their colors more vivid. You can collect them yourself, but it should also be easy to find them in seed stores. There is a fascination about coleus which increases as one works with them. Do not cover the seed, but give the top of the bed a gentle firming with the palm of your hand. Coleus seed will not come up well if they dry out, or if soil temperatures drop much below 60° degrees. Seed packets may be obtained from practically any reputable seed house as well. Allow some bloom stalks mature seed, then trim back the whole plant, or start new plants by propagating coleus stem cuttings. Coleus can be added to beds and borders for interest or grown in containers. Once they have two sets of leaves put them in individual pots, planters or group them in a flat a few inches apart. By the time coleus seedlings are two inches tall, they may receive the same care given any other coleus of their particular type. How To Grow Coleus Plants . Plants outdoors after the last frost. Make sure that the plastic is not touching the cutting. [1] X Research source In a pinch, seeds can be started in late spring or summer, but may not grow as quickly or healthily. And quite decorative these cuttings are in process! Plant in a pot three or four inch pots or any other type of container with plenty of drainage. Coleus is ideal for formal gardens, in a border, or to heighten the effect of some blossoming plant by repeating its flower hue. 100 / bag blue Coleus seeds, From Amazon Propagating Coleus Plants. Don't propagate patented cultivars, as it is illegal to reproduce them without a license. Where to Find Coleus Seeds. Plan to sow them indoors, eight to 12 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Coleus propagation from seeds is easy… it’s almost like growing radishes! At this time pinch out the top two new leaves to encourage branching and a more sturdy, bushy plant. The best way to propagate coleus is through cuttings. Start the seeds in early spring. The plants are easy to propagate. Video of the Day They are a standby as a color accent in the all foliage planting and they are encouraging material for children or any beginning gardener. Coleus Propagation Timing Coleus seeds take 7 … They can also be propagated by seed indoors about 8-10 weeks prior to your last expected spring frost. There are shades of brown like pansy faces, and all shades of red and pink, combined with green, yellow, and cream. All you have to do is take one or more stem cuttings and wait a few weeks for them to develop a tiny root system. You can root a stem cutting in water. Place the coleus cutting into the hole made by the pencil. Step#1. How to Grow a Coleus Plant. Coleus like a fertile soil and liberal doses of organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion or liquid food (water-soluble plant fertilizer). Later on in the year, say September or October, you can get them to root but they won’t grow as leafy or as fast. Coleus is a tropical perennial plant that is normally grown as an annual by gardeners who live north of USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11. The first propagation technique for growing coleus plants is by starting them from seeds. Make free plants! However, the best outdoor use of coleus is to bring color to a spot not reached by the sun – for unlike so many plants, use coleus as a shade plant. Step 3 - Thin Coleus and Provide Proper Care On either side of the garden entrance, two white ornamental iron urns were set, planted with coleus whose leaves were of the richest wine velvet with a tiny leaf edge of green. Propagate your coleus plant from stem cuttings Cut a stem just below the leaf node, so you have a stem 3” to 4” (7.5 – 10 cm) long. The plastic wrap increases humidity for the seeds which encourages them to grow quicker. Coleus are very easy to grow from seed and it’s fun to see the different colors of plants that will grow from one packet of seeds. You should see seedlings in about two weeks. Coleus is the traditional name for a genus of popular landscape plants that have now been reassigned to the genera Plectranthus and Solenostemon. Equally as easy as growing coleus from seed is taking coleus cuttings to root and grow. Propagation The Coleus plant can easily be propagated with stem cuttings, or from seed (University of Florida- Gardening Solutions). Place the container in bright, but indirect light. If you are unable to find them at a store, many companies sell them online. Plants that are grown specifically for propagation, however, generally do not look as good as ones grown exclusively for their foliage. Some types of coleus flowers appear quickly; other varieties of plants grow the whole long growing season of a Florida summer without so much as a bud. I’ve seen this done effectively in a garden surrounding the museum at Denver, Colorado. Grow them on indoors until the weather warms up. Some will have incipient or full-fledged petioles (leaf stems) growing from them. In Missouri last summer I saw a most striking planting of assorted coleus seedlings on the east side of a shade garden where they received full sun until early afternoon. Coleus Plant Propagation From Cuttings And Seeds. Coleus seeds are a little larger than those of petunias. Begin cutting near the bottom. The coleus cutting should root in two to three weeks. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! As they are easy to grow, this also makes a great option for starters and casual gardeners. Be sure to monitor water levels carefully. [2] X Research source Alternately, another method for how to root coleus cuttings is in water. Planting Seeds: Coleus seeds need light to germinate, so press seed into the surface of your soil and do not cover. Almost no two seedlings will have the exact same leaf pattern or coloring. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Coleus is an easy to grow plant and will thrive indoors if cared for properly. Growing Dahlia, Lobelia flower, Celosia plants (cockscomb), Coleus, Growing Coleus Indoors From Seed Indoors. Coleus likes fertile and well-draining soil. The cuttings should be between 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.). When plants are 1″ tall, thin to 1 every 6″-12″. Sign up for our newsletter. After the plants have produced pretty foliage, you can make cuttings. Coleus will root within a couple of days when the weather is high 70’s low 80’s. Start the foliage plant seeds indoors 8 weeks or so before the last expected frost. Change the water every other day. Because seeds require light to germinate, sow them on the surface. Plant them out in the garden in May, once there are no more frosts forecast. But, did you ever try growing coleus from seed for a really plentiful supply and to avoid having to winter over so many? Coleus roots easily enough for it to be started in a glass of water without any problems. Plantcaretoday.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, Video: University Of Florida’s Coleus Plants Breeding Program, liquid food (water-soluble plant fertilizer), String of Turtles Care | Growing Peperomia Prostrata. At the first sign of emerging seedlings, the plastic wrap should be removed. Coleus is probably one of the easiest plants to grow and propagate. The best window garden specimens are often those grown against a plate glass shop window or one given sole domain in someone’s bright picture window. Care should be taken not to overwater. You should also make sure that the plant you choose is not patented. Keep the soil moist. When the water has reached the top of the soil, remove the pot from the water and place a piece of glass or cellophane over the top to conserve moisture. Let’s get to know this star plant today in the following sections: 1 . No waiting for blooms; with coleus the color is there from the first! Coleus plants cannot be excelled for use in planter boxes, urns, porch boxes or hanging baskets outdoors. Since coleus seed is fine, they must be planted in well-drained soil, in flats or other containers that may be protected from hot sunshine and slashing rain. Then stick a pencil into the soil. Many of us got our first house plant – a coleus plant by propagating coleus through stem cuttings. Cut off a 2 to 6-Inch Apical Stem Below a Node Once you've found an apical stem on the coleus, snip that stem from the plant below a node (a place where there's a stem or a bud). Seeds . Coleus are easy to grow from seeds or cuttings, but I wanted to explain my method of growing them from cuttings. 2 . To take up the reddish-purple of the colorful leaves, this landscaper was smart in using something unusual… achimenes. Your adorable Coleus are among the easiest plants to propagate, as they usually grow at a pretty fast pace with proper environmental conditions. Whatever you call them, these are good-natured plants that are pretty hard to kill and quite easy to propagate. What Are The Best Plants For A North Facing Window? Coleus left to flower may lose vigor as the plant puts energy into seed production. You can propagate coleus by cuttings or by seed. There should be at least three leaves on the stem. Mandevilla Care: Growing The Mandevilla Trellis Vine, Growing The Sansevieria Moonshine Snake Plant, Use a planting medium like one used for growing and caring for African violets. Lightly sprinkle the coleus seeds over the soil. By entering your email address you agree to receive a daily email newsletter from Plant Care Today. Growing coleus from seed starts with getting the seeds. Make the cut for the cutting just below a leaf node. This is most likely one of the easiest plants to grow. It’s incredibly easy to transplant coleus as anything you’ll ever grow. Start indoors 6 … When the water has reached the top of the soil, remove the pot You can also start them from seeds indoors two or three weeks before the spring temperatures start climbing. Colors range from velvety purple-black, with green edges, to various white and green combinations. The soil should cover at least the bottom most leafless node. You will find it is less damaging to the coleus seedlings to water from below. The shade-loving coleus is a favorite among shade and container gardeners. Just cut the stem and place it in water like a cutflower. Cuttings that are 3 – 4 inches long will readily root even in a glass of water. Keep reading to learn more about how to propagate coleus. You may need to use a heat mat, as coleus seeds require a … Anyone who has ever tried rooting Coleus blumei from cuttings knows how easy it is to grow. Bright colors do not develop until the plants are some size, though occasionally a distinctive leaf pattern will be unmistakable when the first true leaves appear. NOTE: Coleus does not like cold. Propagation should be done during the growing season. Push the soil back around the cutting. Perfect for the spring growing season. How to Propagate Coleus Choose growing tips with firm stems, approximately 7-10cm long Remove the lower leaves to prevent dehydration Re-cut the base of … The annual blue coleus is ideal for the casual grower who is more interested in creating a pleasing decorative effect than in the plants themselves. After taking your cuttings, place them in a small glass of water and place this in bright indirect light. Fertilize lightly with a high nitrogen fertilizer every two weeks, and pinch back the stems to create a fuller, bushy plant. How to propagate Coleus plant Once the coleus plant is about a foot tall, you can take a few cuttings. Coleus seedlings introduce you to all types of coleus varieties which exhibit a diversity of color, leaf forms, and markings. Coleus has one foe – the cottony mealybug. Place the rooting container in a plastic zip top bag or cover the entire container with plastic wrap. If desired, dip the cutting in rooting hormone. Coleus leaves vary in size from fingerprint measure to those almost as broad as a dinner plate. Because of the ease of regeneration of the Coleus plant, you could easily propagate a single plant into several totally new plants for this winter. Transplanting will be necessary as soon as they begin to crowd each other in the seedbed. There are several options to use as a seed starting mix or planting medium to grow coleus seed. Raising coleus from seed is relatively easy. They may be combined with begonias, potted petunia plants, Tradescantia plant (wandering jew), or any other plant commonly used in this sort of planting. How to root Coleus from cuttings easily in 2 ways. Coleus seeds are typically sold as mixed, which will give you a nice variety in the foliage colors. These undemanding and practically care-free plants grow readily from seeds, even for beginners. Getting More Plants. When seedlings have four to six leaves you’re ready to use coleus like paint from a tray wherever a spot of rich color and velvety texture is needed. If you wish to preserve yours over winter, take cuttings rather than harvesting seeds, as most coleus types are hybrids and won't come true from saved seeds. If the seed is fresh, and conditions satisfactory, the seed will begin to germinate by the fifth day. Set the container in warm water so that moisture comes from the bottom and will not disturb the seed. They are easily moved at any age. Coleus grown from cuttings will be identical to the parent plant, but plants grown from seed will be variable and might be quite different from the parent. Mixing the seeds with fine sand before sowing can help you to spread the seeds more evenly with a bit more of a gap between the seeds. After you have spread the coleus seeds, cover them with a fine layer of potting soil. By the time most coleus plants start to bloom, they are determined to bloom. Plant owners can multiply coleus fast and end up with many plants in no time. Using a sharp. Germination takes 10 - 12 days if kept at 72 degrees F. They are also simple to propagate from cuttings. Choose a spot that is protected from wind. Set plants out after all danger of frost is past. Taking coleus cuttings or growing coleus from seed is quite easy. In fact, the plants root so easily that you can even start cuttings in a glass of water. For such individual use, good cultivars are those whose foliage colors appear deep, soft red edged delicately in light green. Even among seedlings from the showiest sorts, some dull or stemmy plants will result, and a few plants will remain pale and spindly with the same treatment under which others become strong and husky.