Plant Spotlight: Green and Yellow Coleus

I picked up this pretty green and yellow Coleus at Lowes a few weeks ago and it brought a burst of liveliness to the back patio! Coleus are tropical plants, native to areas bordering the equator but grow well in any warm area with partial shade.

Growing and Water Tips:

Coleus are not frost tolerant, so I have decided to leave my plant in her sunny pot on the patio for now. If you plan on putting your plants in the garden, wait until temperatures remain reliably above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Coleus are said to prefer a neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH, as long as there is plenty of organic matter mixed in the plants should be fine. These colorful plants do love the heat, but they also need moist soil to thrive. Long dry spells will stunt the plants’ growth, and the leaves will start to turn brown around the edges. Regular mulch will help protect the soil from getting too dry. Be careful and not lay mulch too close around the stems. Fertilizer is not necessary if you have rich soil, if not then you may want to fertilize lightly at half strength about once a month.

If you plan on keeping Coleus in containers, check the soil often, for you may need to water them twice a day, especially during the Summer. Lack of light on the back porch or patio should not be a problem with this shade loving plant. In the winter bring your plants inside and place where they will receive sunlight through windows or provide them some supplemental fluorescent light.

Frost is deadly to this colorful bushy plant so be sure to save some cuttings for re planting next Spring. Cut sprigs and place each cutting into a clear glass with water. Make sure to pluck off any leaves below the water level. Place the glass in a bright, warm area and allow the cuttings to root themselves. Roots generally appear within a few days, and over a period of a month or two will develop into a thick mass of roots.

When using Coleus plants in the garden they are a proper size for the front of a border, and look best when planted in groups. They also grow wonderfully in containers and add colorful fun to any patio! With their variety of colors, you can match the leaves with flowers that resemble their color or with colors that complement them!