While Coleus plants aren’t considered toxic to people, they may pose a threat to animals. The oils contained in the plant are toxic to dogs and cats when ingested or absorbed through the skin.

Coleus are cultivated as ornamental plants, particularly Coleus scutellarioides (syns. Coleus blumei, Plectranthus scutellarioides), which is popular as a garden plant for its brightly colored foliage. This plant prefers bright, but indirect sunlight….

Plectranthus scutellarioides, commonly known as coleus, is a tropical evergreen tender perennial that has been a popular foliage plant since at least Victorian times.

When taken by mouth, coleus is used to treat allergies, dry eye, skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, obesity, painful menstrual periods, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), urinary tract infections (UTI), bladder infections, advanced cancer, blood clots, sexual problems in men, trouble sleeping (insomnia), and …

Coleus scutellarioides

Coleus thrive in cool, evenly moist, well-drained soil. Consistent moisture is good, but soggy conditions cause root disease. Watering should complement available sun. Some modern coleus varieties handle full sun, but most still flourish with at least dappled shade and direct sun limited to morning hours.

To pinch back your coleus, simply cut or pinch off any stem at a point where two stems or two leaves are growing from it. Two new branches will begin to grow from where those other stems or leaves meet the main stem that you pinched.

In hot months, coleus plants grown in pots outdoors will need watering once or twice a day. If grown indoors, watering every two or three days is usually sufficient unless the air inside your home or grow space is especially dry.

In a frost-free area, coleus normally lives for several years. In USDA zones 10 through 11, the winter is mild enough to plant coleus in the ground. Coleus appreciates moist soil that drains well. Keep it out of intense sun, as it easily scalds.

Coleus plant flowering signals the end of the plant’s life cycle, and plants usually die soon after they are allowed to produce blooms. You can just leave them on and enjoy the plant as an annual, or take steps to encourage thicker growth and continued life in a greenhouse or cold frame.

Grown as an annual throughout the United States and as a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11, coleus also makes a good houseplant that decorates an indoor environment with non-stop color.

There are many plants that reseed themselves. Popular flowering plants that will come back year after year can include annuals, biennials and perennials. Annuals – popular annuals that reseed include forget-me-nots, coleus and marigolds.

A coleus plant that is dying because of freezing temperatures can’t be revived, so if you hope to overwinter it, bring it inside before a frost. If it’s waterlogged and root rot has set in, you will need to catch it early in order to save your plant.

Coleus is a perennial, a tropical shrub, that is not hardy except in warm, frost-free zones.

Although the spiky blooms that appear in autumn aren’t particularly attractive, you can harvest the seeds inside the blooms and save them for planting the following spring.

Make the cut for the cutting just below a leaf node. Next, remove all of the leaves from the lower half of the cutting. If desired, dip the cutting in rooting hormone. Prepare the soil you will be rooting the coleus cutting in by making sure that it is thoroughly moistened.

To keep the seeds cool (ideally, below 50 degrees), some people store them in a jar in their refrigerator or freezer. Seeds in good condition and stored properly will last at least one year and, depending on the plant, may last two to five years.

Coleus plants are eye-dazzlers and easy-going with impossibly colorful leaves. They’re magnificent on their own in a flower pot, and the flash of their foliage lights up a flower bed. Coleus (Coleus blumei) are tender tropical plants grown for their leaves, not for their flowers.

Most tropical plants need high humidity levels to survive, and the coleus plant is no exception. Unlike other tropical houseplants that require daily misting, you should avoid spritzing your coleus leaves. The water can leave marks on the velvety foliage and spoil the plant’s appearance.

Coleus Companion Plants

• For the shade-loving plant, choose hosta, fuchsia, fern, begonia, impatiens, sweet potato vine, coral bells.
• For mix and match color, combine coleus with million bells, petunia, bacopa, lobelia, marigold, daisy, basically any flowering plants is an excellent choice.

If your plants are losing their leaves, they may be adjusting to the drier indoor environment and the change in light intensity. Pinch the stems back to encourage new growth, keep the soil moist but never soggy, and place the plants near a large window or about six inches below a source of artificial light.

Coleus do well in pots and planters, as long as they are planted in free-draining potting soil, fertilized regularly and given the right amount of sun. Avoid windy locations because coleus can be prone to breakage. Feed regularly during the growing season, following the rate recommended on the package.

Pests. 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, says Clemson University. Pests can cause spots and holes in leaves, as well as stunt growth and reduce plant vigor.

Answer: Coleus to retain its bright color must have three things. #1 – It should have some direct sunlight (morning sun) for at least part of the day and as much indirect light as possible all of the time. These flowers grow in the sun very well!

Coleus likes even moisture best, but in shade will do better with drier soil. In full sun, be sure to give all coleus plenty of water. It may wilt in high heat, but will spring back quickly when given a drink. A 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch over the soil will help retain much-needed moisture down by the roots.

Aim to keep the soil moist but not wet, avoiding watering too heavily, as the plant is susceptible to root rot. Coleus plants in containers will need more frequent watering than those grown in the ground. During hot and dry summer months, Coleus container plants will need watering at least once a day, sometimes twice.

They really don’t exist. I’ve seen these seed ads on the internet for years—pictures of plants and flowers with totally unnatural colors, often blue.

Coleus Seeds | 43 Varieties | Annual Flower Seeds.

Although technically an evergreen perennial, coleus are usually grown as annuals because these tender tropical plants can’t handle even the slightest frost.

Coleus