How to Maintain Coleus Plants

Coleus plants, with their beautiful vibrant purple color, are a wonderful way to brighten up a room or deck. With proper maintenance, they can beautify any area. The trick is to know how to properly maintain a Coleus plant. Coleus plants that are not properly cared for tend to lose their color, look sparse and become a mere shadow of what they could be. With a little understanding and education anyone can maintain a Coleus plant.

Instructions

1. Place the Coleus in a sunny area. Coleus plants thrive when they have plenty of light, especially a southern sun exposure, which provides several hours of bright light. If you cannot place your Coleus in an area where it can get adequate natural sunlight, artificial lighting will work as well.

2. Keep the soil moist. Coleus plants enjoy a good drink of water, but not too much. The soil should be moist but not drenched and soggy.

3. Ensure proper drainage. One quick way to ensure the demise of a Coleus plant is to prevent proper water drainage. If you notice your plant beginning to wilt, check the soil to see if it’s excessively wet. The problem may be poor drainage.

4. Nourish the Coleus with fertilizer monthly. To ensure a healthy vibrant plant, it's best to give the Coleus a monthly mix of diluted plant fertilizer.

5. Pinch the new buds. If you want your plant to continue thriving, it’s important to pinch the new seeds from the top of the plant. Pinching the buds causes the plant to divert its energy into the existing leaves, thus causing the plant to fill out and create an attractive, healthy, bushier plant.

6. Maintain the right temperatures. Coleus plants thrive best in temperatures between 55 and 85 degrees F. If you have your Coleus plants outside on the deck or front porch, be sure to bring them in before the temperature starts to dip in the winter and take special care during heat waves in the summer. Coleus plants do not like extreme temperatures.

Tips & Warnings

• If you’re new to growing Coleus plants, it’s best to start off with a small plant. While the large beautiful purple plant in the store looks inviting, it’s best to start small. Nothing is more discouraging than bringing home a huge Coleus plant only to watch it wither away while you learn how to maintain it.

Resources

• Coleus
• The Garden Helper