If you want a compact houseplant with bold, colorful foliage, these fantastic ways to grow Coleus will be really helpful!
These plants are generally found in Asia and Australia and are loved for their colorful foliage, which can be white, yellow, maroon, purple, green, or pink. So, in case you want to beautify your home with some ‘natural colors’ here and there, here are some fantastic ways to grow coleus indoors!
How to Grow Coleus Indoors?
Coleus is a robust and attractive plant that comes in different sizes, from 6 to 36 inches. Any compact variety with smaller leaves, like the Kong series, fits well into container gardening. However, the bushy-growth varieties are not suitable for indoors. For growing coleus indoors, keep in mind the following factors:
- These plants love direct and bright sunlight in the morning, followed by filtered light in the afternoon. Avoid too much exposure to sunlight during midday as it can scorch or fade the delicate foliage.
- A generic potting mix with good drainage will work best.
- It needs continuous moisture, so never let the soil dry out completely. To check the appropriate time for watering, touch the surface of the soil. If it feels dry, then you must water the medium until it drains out.
- The best temperature for them is an average of 60-75°F or 16-24°C. They also like high humidity, so you can freely place them in your kitchen or bathroom.
- They do not need additional feed; however, you can provide them with liquid fertilizer in spring or weekly during the growing season if you want.
Ways to Grow Coleus Indoors
1. Root the Cuttings in Water
To propagate coleus using water cuttings, simply cut a stem from the mother plant just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves and place the stem in a water-filled container. Ensure the nodes are submerged. Place the container in a bright area but away from direct sunlight.
This is a quicker way to grow, and you can easily monitor the root development. Also, it doesn’t require soil in the initial growing stages.
2. Divide the Root System
For this, you must separate a mature coleus plant into smaller parts with its root system; they will create new ones. The best time would be in spring or at the start of summer when the plants grow actively.
It is a method for growing a new mature plant instantly, but it can lead to stress as compared to other methods, and its use is limited because it needs a mature plant.
3. Seed Propagation
Start by sowing tiny seeds in a potting mix, covering them with a plastic dome ( remove after the seedling emerges). Keep the soil somewhat moist at this stage of growth. This method requires about 15-20 days for seed germination.
However, do remember that seeds might need special care and take longer to mature than other methods.
4. Go for Hydroponics
Contrary to popular belief, hydroponics is not the same as rooting a plant in water. Snip a healthy stem cutting from a healthy plant with several leaf nodes. Strip the lower leaves off and place the stem in a container filled with a nutrient solution. Keep it in a space that gets plenty of indirect light and soon, you’ll see roots beginning to form.
Hydroponics can turbocharge growth, letting you enjoy your coleus’s lush, vivid foliage faster and without the usual dirt and mess.
5. Grow them in Soil
For this, you will need a sharp scissor, a small pot, rooting hormone, a plastic bag, and potting mix.
Start by cutting a stem from the plant at least 4-6 inches long and removing the lower leaves. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone and then plant it in a pot with moist potting soil. Cover the pot with a plastic bag (it should not touch h the cutting) to create a mini greenhouse.
Keep the soil moist, and you will see the roots developing in 2-3 weeks. Then, remove the plastic bag and continue growing.
6. Layering
Yes, you can successfully create a new coleus plant from an existing one. Select a healthy, nonflowering branch and remove the lower leaves, leaving a few at the top. Now, create a wound and apply rooting hormone to stimulate root development. At the end, cover the section with a handful of sphagnum moss.
Give the new plant good care, and once you see the root growth, pot it up in the soil. This method puts little stress on the parent plant, but it is generally a slower-growth medium.
