Growing Coleus Plant Indoors

Botanical Name: Coleus blumei (aka Solenostemon scutellarioides)

Coleus plant, also known as Painted Nettle, is often grown outdoors as an annual because it is frost-tender. But it's easy to grow indoors if you can provide bright light.

Distinctive leaf shapes, intricate patterns, and rich colors rival some of the showiest foliage plants.

Boundless varieties of coleus are available. Foliage colors include red, maroon, brown, cream, yellow, orange and green in dramatic combinations and designs.

Leaf edges may be scalloped or ruffled and have a contrasting color.

Easy-to-grow "Coleus, Giant Leaf Mix 1 Pkt. (50 seeds)", shown at left, is available for sale.

Coleus Plant Care Tips

Pinch your plant. Coleus plants can get leggy. Pinch growing tips often to encourage them to branch out and stay bushy and full. Also pinch off its small, insignificant flower spikes as soon as you notice them because they will detract from the beautiful foliage.

Keep it moist. Coleus leaves will wilt and may fall off if the soil is too dry. You'll have a much healthier-looking plant if you keep the soil moist at all times. Use a pot with drainage holes and water thoroughly.

Origin: Southeast Asia

Height: Up to 2 ft (60 cm)

Light: Bright light. Some direct sun is ok, except intense summer sun which will scorch the leaves. Too little light dulls leaf colors and may cause leaves to drop.

Water: Keep soil evenly moist. Leaves will wilt if thirsty.

Humidity: Moderate humidity. Set pot on a tray of wet pebbles.

Temperature: Average room temperatures 60-75°F, 16-24°C

Soil: Any good potting mix

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation: Sow coleus seeds in spring. Take 3 in (7 cm) coleus stem tip cuttings in spring or summer. Stem tip cuttings root easily in water or moist soil.