Plant Care Guides / Indoor / Easy Care
Coleus is grown for its leaves, not its flowers, and the leaf colours are extraordinary: vivid combinations of lime green, deep burgundy, hot pink, orange and cream, all on the same plant. It is fast-growing, easy to propagate from cuttings, and brings instant colour to a bright indoor spot or a shaded patio.
Pinch out the growing tips regularly to keep the plant bushy and compact. If left alone it gets leggy, and the small flower spikes that appear should be pinched off too, because flowering sends the plant's energy away from producing those beautiful leaves.
Bright, indirect light brings out the best colour. Too little light and the vivid patterns fade to plain green. A little morning sun is fine, but hot afternoon sun can scorch the leaves.
Keep the soil evenly moist through the growing season. It wilts dramatically when thirsty, but bounces back quickly after a drink. In winter, ease off and let it dry slightly between waterings. It likes humidity, so mist it if the air is dry.
Feed every two weeks through spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertiliser to fuel that fast growth.
Repot when the roots fill the pot, or when growth slows despite feeding. Use a rich, well-draining potting mix. Coleus grows so fast that many people treat it as an annual and start fresh from cuttings each spring.
Ask about availability. We keep a changing range of indoor plants. WhatsApp us to see what is in store, or pop in and we will help you choose.
