Cheap and Cheeky, but Absolutely Gorgeous! I'm Growing Coleus from Seed, Indoors or Out - Tips on Propagation and Care

I've always been fascinated by coleus plants. If I had more space and sunny windows, I'd definitely have a collection of them!

They're incredibly vibrant, low-maintenance, and a joy to look at.

Coleus - Propagation and CareAs a kid, we'd often see this plant in grandma's windows or in school. But it was always a dull, bright red color. Now, there are so many varieties available!Coleus (Coleus) is a perennial plant in the Lamiaceae family, native to tropical regions of Africa and Southeast Asia. In our climate, it's grown as an annual or as a houseplant.

It thrives in the summer, either in the ground or as a container plant.

When exposed to sunlight, the leaves become more vibrant and striking:

Coleus - Propagation and CareEven without pruning, the plant grows into a compact, beautiful bush:

Coleus - Propagation and CareColeus plants love to drink, so the key is to keep them well-watered.Personally, I've also learned a trick - I don't like it when coleus plants produce flowers:

Coleus - Propagation and CareWhen a stem starts flowering, its growth slows down, and the leaves become smaller. To prevent this, I make sure to pinch off the flower buds.You can get coleus plants in two ways:

Easy - buy cuttings or already rooted coleus plants on Avito. Coleus - Propagation and CareThis method requires minimal effort, and I've found a wide selection of coleus plants in my city for a budget-friendly price of around 30 rubles per cutting.Grow from seeds. This option is for those who enjoy nurturing seedlings: Coleus - Propagation and CareI love growing various plants from seeds, but even I was disappointed with the coleus. I tried multiple packets, both regular and specialty varieties. However, only one packet of mixed seeds from Gavriusha made it to the garden. The others I cared for extensively, but unfortunately, they all died... Coleus - Propagation and CareWhile I enjoy playing with seedlings, I highly recommend buying already mature coleus cuttings and planting them.

They're way more stress-tolerant, take root quickly, and produce a ton of new foliage after being transplanted into open soil.

If you still want to start coleus on a seed tray, it's best not to bury the seeds, but rather let them germinate on the surface of the soil – and do it in a greenhouse, of course. Once the first leaves appear, like in my photo, the seedlings are potted into individual cells and left to grow for two to three sets of leaves before being transplanted into the ground. I planted my coleus in early June, when the nighttime temperature had risen above 10°.

This fall, to prevent losing the plant, you'll need to dig it up and bring it indoors or propagate new cuttings and root them again. Coleus are essentially annuals, and in our climate, they won't survive the winter.

Caring for Coleus at Home

Coleus are pretty low-maintenance plants. They'll grow in any soil, but they really thrive in a mix with peat and perlite. I've even grown them on a trellis with great success – they love it!

As for fertilizers, just follow the instructions on a standard balanced fertilizer, which is what most gardeners use.

An important note: if you're bringing in plants from outdoors, you'll need to treat them for pests and quarantine them from your other plants for a few weeks.

Coleus do need regular pruning, or they'll get leggy and unattractive.

I used to bring home new varieties, but I've since stopped – it's just not worth the hassle.

Why I Don't Grow Coleus Indoors Anymore

They absolutely love bright light: if they're not getting enough, they'll stretch out and lose their vibrancy.They grow incredibly fast and will soon take over a lot of space.Indoor coleus need regular pruning and trimming – it's like mowing the lawn!Every spring, you'll find tons of coleus cuttings for sale from local collectors – they're affordable, and the selection is amazing.Honestly, I just don't have the space for them anymore!

When I want a pop of color during the summer, I just head out and buy new cuttings from local collectors. It's budget-friendly, fun, and hassle-free – and I get to support local gardeners!

Over the years, my mother-in-law and I have tried growing all sorts of coleus on our property!

But my absolute favorites are:

Bronze Pagoda:Coleus - Propagation and CareHenna:Coleus - Propagation and CareAvatar:Coleus - Propagation and CareI highly recommend adding them to your garden, sunny balcony, or outdoor planter if you love bright colors!