Coleus Growing Guide (Coleus barbatus)

Overview

A tropical foliage plant that has experienced a renaissance, with modern cultivars offering extraordinary leaf patterns in every combination of green, purple, red, orange, pink, and chartreuse imaginable. Sun-tolerant varieties have revolutionized coleus from a shade-only plant to a versatile garden star. Though grown primarily as an annual in temperate climates, coleus is easily propagated from cuttings for year-round houseplants.

Growing Conditions

Hardiness Zones6 — 10

Height25.28m

Spread0.64m

Growth HabitForb/herb

Pollinator Valuehigh

Companion Planting & Soil

Good Companions

BegoniaImpatiensFernCaladium

Soil pH6 — 7

Soil TypeRich, moist, well-drained soil or potting mix

Planting Calendar

When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.

Zone	Action	Months	Notes
Cold (1-2)	Start Indoors	Mar — Apr	Start indoors 8-10 weeks early; needs light to germinate; do not cover seed
Cold (1-2)	Transplant	Jun — Jun	Transplant after all frost; pinch flower spikes; take cuttings to overwinter
Cold (1-2)	Bloom	Jun — Sep	Grown for foliage; pinch blue flower spikes to maintain leaf production
Cool (3-4)	Transplant	May — Jun	Transplant after frost; part shade to full sun depending on variety
Cool (3-4)	Bloom	Jun — Oct	Vibrant foliage until frost; root cuttings in water for indoor winter plants
Moderate (5-7)	Transplant	Apr — May	Transplant in spring; Sun coleus tolerate full sun; shade types scorch
Moderate (5-7)	Bloom	May — Oct	Season-long foliage; hundreds of color patterns available
Warm (8-9)	Transplant	Mar — Apr	Plant in spring; brilliant foliage plant; pinch flowers
Warm (8-9)	Bloom	Mar — Nov	Nearly year-round foliage color
Hot (10+)	Transplant	Feb — Mar	Plant in early spring; thrives in heat with adequate water
Hot (10+)	Bloom	Feb — Nov	Long season; may survive mild winters as perennial

Uses

Other Uses

Premier foliage plant for containers and bedding
Easily propagated from cuttings in water
Houseplant for bright indoor light

Coleus