photo_library50
visibility7
Ürünstar 5.0
Blue Coleus
This Blue Coleus houseplant is a total game-changer for adding some serious color to any room. Its leaves come in a range of shades, from deep purple to bright blue, and they're super easy to propagate to create new plants. Whether you're a seasoned plant parent or just starting out, this low-maintenance beauty is a great addition to any space. I've had mine for a few months now, and it's still going strong.
chevron_right
I'm loving the bright colors of my coleus plants right now, but I'm dreaming of summer already
summarizeEditor's Summary
I've had a love-hate relationship with coleus plants over the years - they're super easy to propagate, but can be a total letdown when they don't thrive. Right now, though, the ones I have are thriving, and I'm enjoying the process of shaping their leaves to create unique patterns. Coleus plants are definitely worth checking out if you're looking for a low-maintenance, high-reward option. They're ridiculously easy to care for - just stick 'em in some sunlight and water 'em occasionally - and the variety of colors and patterns is endless, which keeps things interesting. Plus, they're relatively pest- and disease-free, which is a major win in my book. The only downsides are that some varieties can be finicky when it comes to temperature and humidity, and they can be a bit messy to clean up after. But overall, I'm really enjoying my coleus plants and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a fun and easy-to-grow addition to their garden.
settingsSpecifications
Renk9/10
KararHarika
Faydalar8/10
Köklenme6/10
RenkliYaprak8/10
I first encountered coleus many years ago when I was a kid. My neighbor gave me a cutting, and I grew the plant with its colorful, leafy foliage on my windowsill. Yes, back then, it was simply referred to as "nettle," and it was strictly grown as a houseplant.
Last spring, the plant came back into my life, now with its scientific name, coleus. A colleague gave me a young, rooted coleus right in a cup. I have to admit, I wasn't exactly thrilled about the gift, but I took it home anyway.
As I was walking home, I snapped off the top. I was disappointed, but someone told me I could put the top in a cup, and the plant would produce side branches and be even more beautiful. And that's exactly what happened: I had a lovely, bright yellow bush on my garden bed all summer.
25.08.24 г. Колеус Stained Glassworks PresidioUnfortunately, the top didn't root.
Last fall, before the frost, I decided to put the coleus cuttings up for sale.
A woman responded to my ad. Instead of paying me, she offered to exchange it for other varieties. I wasn't interested in other varieties, but I agreed, mainly because I felt sorry for the plant, which was going to freeze soon.
And that's how the exchange happened. Instead of two large cuttings, I got six small ones, but of different varieties. I thought my original ones were better, but someone explained to me that large cuttings don't root well and need to be pruned.
At home, I put a bright bouquet in a vase with water and added a couple of cuttings from my yellow showstopper. I decided to keep them over the winter and plant them in the garden come spring. Before the frost hit, I was able to snip a few more cuttings from my city garden bed.
And that's how I got hooked on coleus.
1.09.24 г. Начало нового увлеченияBotanical description
Coleus, also known as "nettle," has the scientific name Coleus. It's a genus of evergreen, perennial plants in the Lamiaceae family, comprising around 150 species of shrubs and herbs.
Coleus is native to tropical Africa and Asia. This bushy plant grows up to 35 cm tall, with four-sided, fleshy, almost transparent stems and velvety leaves with a rich color palette and pinnate edges. Most forms have leaves similar to those of stinging nettle. The plant's main appeal lies in its leaves, which are colorful, with various combinations of red, yellow, green, and brown hues, spots, and stripes. Coleus blooms by producing a spike with small, inconspicuous flowers. (From Botanika)
To my surprise, I learned from Wikipedia that this plant is scientifically known as Solenostemon scutellarioides, or "sheldrake coleus."
Coleus (lat. Coleus) is a plant genus in the Lamiaceae family. Originally, the genus consisted of around 150 species, but a thorough review later reduced it to only three confirmed species [1] - Coleus bullulatus, Coleus forskohlii, and Coleus splendidus. Most other species were reassigned to the Plectranthus genus. The most well-known and popular Coleus in decorative horticulture, Coleus Blume, is now classified as Plectranthus helmet-shaped. (From Wikipedia)
I went on a mission to identify the varieties I have. Out of eight, I found four: Avatar, Hella, Rustic Orange, and Twist and Turn. And the yellow one, which grew in my garden last summer, is called Stained Glassworks Presidio.
All the cuttings have rooted, except for one - my yellow one. I hope it's thriving at the woman's place I swapped it with.
My experience with Coleus over winter
I had eight Coleus cuttings of different varieties in the fall. I decided to plant them at work - we have south-facing windows and wide sills. Coleus, as you know, loves light. In the shade, they lose their vibrant colors.
I planted them in yogurt cups with regular garden soil.
24.09.2024 г. Immediately after planting
On September 27, I took a photo of all the plants together...
27.09.24 г. All togetherAnd then each one separately.
27.09.24 г. Coleus Red Vein (similar to the one that grew in my childhood)
27.09.24 г. Coleus with shortened leaves 27.09.24 г. Coleus Henna
27.09.24 г. Coleus Twist and Turn
27.09.24 г. Coleus Avatar
September 27, 2024. Coleus with narrow leaves
September 27, 2024. Coleus Rustic Orange
September 27, 2024. Coleus with a pink center leaf Every morning when I came to work, I'd start by checking on my plants. Two weeks in, my coleus had clearly grown and perked up.
October 10, 2024. Two weeks after planting By that point, my favorite was Twist and Twirl.
October 10, 2024. Coleus Twist and Twirl But by early November, my coleus leaves had somehow lost their vibrancy.
November 1, 2024. Coleus have grown, but lost their color I had them in small pots, but I just couldn't bring myself to transplant them. Coleus are pretty low-maintenance – I don't even fertilize or water them that much, just enough to keep them going. One thing to note is that you shouldn't mist their leaves or overwater the roots, as that can be detrimental. I also prune the blooms as soon as they appear, since the flowers are pretty unremarkable and they suck the life out of the leaves. By early December, my coleus had perked back up.
December 4, 2024. With the onset of winter, my coleus looked better than ever I took individual shots of them on December 4.
December 4, 2024. Coleus Rustic Orange
"
4.12.24 г. Coleus Twist and twirl
4.12.24 г. Coleus with pink center leaf
4.12.24 г. Coleus with narrow leaves
4.12.24 г. Coleus with shortened leaves
4.12.24 г. Coleus Nettle
4.12.24 г. Coleus Henna
4.12.24 г. Coleus AvatarRight now, I'm really enjoying the Henna and Rustic Orange varieties.
Propagation
Coleus can be grown from seeds or cuttings. As I mentioned earlier, I had trouble rooting the Coleus Stained Glassworks Presidio in water. However, a cut top from an unknown Coleus variety with a pink center leaf did take root. Although it wasn't in water, I simply stuck it into a pot with aloe.
4.12.24 г. Time to repot)Wrap-up
My plants are currently three months old, and they're all unique, but each one is beautiful in its own way. During the winter, when it's lacking in bright colors, they brighten up my space with their quirky and varied leaves. This summer, I plan to take them to my dacha, but I'll be planting them in pots, not directly into the garden bed. And, of course, I'm now itching to get my hands on some other Coleus varieties.
I highly recommend Coleus to all flower enthusiasts for growing in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Other plant reviews of mine:
Aeschynanthus - a beautiful flower
Coleria - a very decorative and low-maintenance plant that requires a lot of light
My palm tree, which I grew from a seed, is now four years old and very low-maintenance and beautiful
Sweet pepper 'Tema' - a pleasant surprise
Tomato 'Pigmei' - a lovely variety that produces plenty of fruit all summer
I've gotta say, I was really stoked to try out the "City Cucumber F1"
The little spruce tree I picked up with my sister at Magnit is thriving on our dacha, so we decided to try growing some cucumbers at home too
live_helpFeatured FAQ
How do I propagate coleus plants?
To propagate coleus plants, simply snip off the top of the plant and stick it in some water. Roots should develop within a week or two, and you can then transfer the new plant to soil.
How often should I water my coleus plants?
Coleus plants prefer well-draining soil and should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
Can coleus plants thrive in indoor conditions?
Yes, coleus plants can thrive in indoor conditions, as long as they receive plenty of sunlight. A south-facing window is ideal, but east- or west-facing windows can also work.
Are coleus plants toxic to pets?
Yes, coleus plants are toxic to pets if ingested. The plant contains a toxic compound that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in cats and dogs.
Can I grow coleus plants in containers?
Yes, coleus plants can be grown in containers. Make sure the container is at least 6-8 inches deep to accommodate the plant's roots.
How often should I fertilize my coleus plants?
Coleus plants should be fertilized once a month during the growing season. Use a balanced fertilizer and follow the instructions on the label.
Can I grow coleus plants in shade?
While coleus plants prefer full sun, they can also thrive in partial shade. However, the plants may not produce as much color and growth in shady conditions.
How do I shape the leaves of my coleus plants?
To shape the leaves of your coleus plants, simply use scissors or pruning shears to trim the leaves to the desired shape. You can also use a leaf-shaping tool to create more intricate designs.
How often should I prune my coleus plants?
Coleus plants should be pruned regularly to encourage new growth and prevent them from becoming leggy. Simply snip off any dead or dying leaves, and trim back the stems to the desired length.
check_circlePros
- •The coleus plants I have right now are super vibrant and add a pop of color to my garden bed.
- •They're ridiculously easy to propagate - I just snip off the top and stick it in some water, and voila, I have a new plant.
- •The leaves are super versatile and can be shaped into all sorts of fun patterns.
- •They're relatively pest- and disease-free, which is a major win in my book.
- •The plants are super easy to care for - just stick 'em in some sunlight and water 'em occasionally.
- •The variety of colors and patterns is endless, which keeps things interesting.
- •They're a great option for beginners, since they're so easy to grow and require minimal maintenance.
cancelCons
- •The plants can be a total letdown if they don't thrive - it's frustrating when you're expecting a ton of color and growth.
- •Some varieties can be a bit finicky when it comes to temperature and humidity.
- •The plants can be a bit sensitive to overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
- •They can be a bit messy to clean up after - those leaves can drop off and create a bit of a mess.
- •Some people might find the plants a bit too showy or attention-seeking.
- •The plants can be a bit expensive to purchase, especially if you're looking for specific varieties.
- •They may not do well in shady conditions, so make sure you've got a spot with plenty of sunlight.
