If you’re looking for a plant that’s a total breeze to propagate, look no further than the colorful Coleus. Keeping these beauties young through propagation is the best way to ensure those vibrant, eye-catching leaves stay fresh and bold. One of the most popular ways to get new plant babies is by taking cuttings. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how it’s done and share a few pro tips to keep in mind.
Propagating Coleus from Cuttings
The great news is that Coleus is incredibly easy to propagate yourself—even if you’re a total beginner. Cuttings are super quick to snip and they root faster than almost any other houseplant.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to successful cuttings:
- Snip off a few leafy stems about 4 inches long. Look for stems that are sturdy and healthy, but not woody.
- Keep only the top pair of leaves on each cutting and gently strip away the rest of the foliage.
- Pop your cuttings into a glass of water to start the rooting process.
- Let them hang out there for about two weeks.
- Once you see roots, transplant your new plant babies into pots filled with seed-starting mix. Press the soil down firmly and give them a light watering.
- Pro Tip: Try planting a few different varieties in one pot! It creates a stunning, multi-colored display that really pops.
Make sure to place your young Coleus plants in a sunny, warm spot. Keep an eye on the temperature, though—these guys are very sensitive to the cold and won’t be happy if things get chilly.
Growing Coleus from Seed
You can find all sorts of cool seed varieties at the garden center. While you *could* technically harvest seeds from an older plant, most gardeners pinch off those tiny flowers as soon as they appear. The blooms aren’t much to look at anyway, and letting them grow saps valuable energy that the plant should be using for its gorgeous leaves.
If you want to try your hand at growing from seed, here’s how:
- Fill small containers with seed-starting mix and scatter your Coleus seeds on top.
- Coleus are “light germinators,” which means they need light to sprout—so don’t bury them under the soil!
- These seeds need warmth to wake up (at least 70°F). Place your pots in a bright, sunny spot or even on a seedling heat mat.
- Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist.
- After about three weeks, you’ll see the first tiny sprouts. Once they’ve developed three pairs of leaves, they’re ready to be moved into their own larger pots.
