Originally hailing from Southeast Asia, the Coleus is a total tropical soul, which means it’s pretty sensitive to the cold. It’s not just frost you have to worry about—even a chilly autumn breeze or a dip in temperature can stress it out. The good news? It’ll happily spend the summer in your garden as long as you bring it back indoors before the weather turns.
Bring your Coleus inside when nights drop below 57°F
Once late summer hits and nighttime temperatures start dipping below 14°C (about 57°F), it’s time to move your Coleus back inside.
Find a bright, warm spot or a sunny windowsill where it can hang out until spring.
Come April, give your Coleus a fresh start by repotting it in new soil and slowly getting it used to the outdoor sun again.
Extra care tips for a happy plant
Coleus plants are generally super low-maintenance, but these quick tips will keep yours looking its best:
- Water your plant regularly and give it an occasional misting to keep the humidity up.
- During the summer months, feed it weekly with a liquid fertilizer (one designed for acid-loving plants works great).
- Keep those long shoots in check by pruning them back to about 20 inches (50 cm).
I also recommend pinching off any flower spikes as soon as they appear. This keeps the plant from wasting energy on seeds and helps it stay bushy. Plus, those trimmings are perfect for cuttings if you want to propagate your plant!
How to grow new plants from cuttings
Propagating Coleus from cuttings is incredibly easy. Here’s the best way to do it:
- Snip off a few leafy shoots about 4 inches (10 cm) long. Look for stems that are sturdy but haven’t turned woody yet.
- Strip off the lower leaves, leaving only the top pair of leaves on each cutting.
- Pop the cuttings into a glass of water for about two weeks until you see roots developing.
- Once they have a good root system, plant them in pots with seed-starting mix, press the soil down firmly, and give them a good drink.
Pro tip: Try planting a few different varieties together in one pot for a spectacular explosion of color!
Is Coleus toxic?
Coleus is classified as mildly toxic. Since those vibrant leaves are like magnets for curious kids, it’s best to keep the plant out of reach of little hands.
Also, if you have allergies or sensitive skin, the essential oils in the plant might cause a reaction, so it’s a smart move to wear gloves whenever you’re pruning or repotting.
