I first started growing coleus about 10 years ago when Mrs. HB and I were neighbors. Coleus (Coleus x hybridus) is an annual valued for its brilliantly colored foliage in shades of burgundy, pink, red, yellow, green and bronze. You can start growing coleus indoors by adopting three different methods: with a seed, with a seedling, or using cuttings. Article by Plant Care Today. Growing conditions. Determining when to plant coleus from seed (also referred to as germinating the seed) comes down to when you plan on planting the coleus plant outside. Starting coleus from a cutting gives you an exact replica of the mother plant. Coleus Propagation Timing Coleus seeds take 7 … It's a beautiful plant for shade that can be mixed in containers with other shade loving plants. These beauties will add flair to any room indoors as well. The techniques I’ve shared can be used for sowing and growing many smaller sized garden seeds from seed, through sprouts, to garden-sized plants. I had seen some crazy lush hanging baskets and planters […] Last night as I was sorting through my seed packets and organizing them by their planting dates, I came across a packet of Rainbow Blend Coleus seeds and smiled. Use a seed starting tray that contains drainage holes. Cuttings that are 3 – 4 inches long will readily root even in a glass of water. Coleus plant care indoors: Provide bright indirect sunlight, temperatures of 65-75°F, and moderate to high humidity levels. Growing Coleus From Seeds. A packet of coleus seeds; Seed tray; Seed compost; Polythene bag; How to grow. Growing from seed gives you a lot more choice when it comes to variety, although you may not be able to get seeds for some of the newer hybrids that are mainly sold in nurseries. You’ll want to start your seeds indoors about 10 weeks before your last average frost date. Coleus stems have two types of structures growing on them: short leaf stems (petioles) and tiny leaf structures that grow between the leaf stems and the main stem (stipules). Grow Rainbow Coleus Mixture from fresh Coleus blumei seeds. Rainbow Coleus plants are greatly used in gardens where the sun doesn’t shine often. Most gardeners buy coleus seedlings, many of which are grown from rooted cuttings. Coleus (Coleus Wizard Jade) - Start Coleus seeds for this exotic foliage plant that never disappoints!Wizard Jade has ivory at the center of the leaves and greens around the edges. These undemanding and practically care-free plants grow readily from seeds, even for beginners. Sowing Seed Indoors: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost using a seed starting kit. Here is a list of some of the sun-loving varieties. Now that you have the knowhow, you can add a pop of color to your garden with coleus. Coleus is probably one of the easiest plants to grow and propagate. This how to guide teaches the care requirements for growing tuberous and fibrous begonias indoors without a greenhouse. Sow tiny coleus seeds atop moist seed starting mix and gently press them into the surface. Growing Coleus plants from seed is also an easy process and generally results in success. How to Save Coleus Flower Seeds. And it was my first successful experiment with growing plants on our balcony. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area. A comprehensive guide for growing begonias from seed indoors. To help, place your pots somewhere where they'll receive filtered sunlight through windows, or provide them with supplemental lighting. Tips on growing coleus from seed - it is easy! I can hardly keep up with pinching their flowers. There are many seed stores on eBay and seed companies online that you can buy a seed packet that contains many combinations of vibrant coleus colours. Coleus grown from seed produce plants with interesting diverse colors, leaf forms, and markings. Coleus is categorized as an annual plant that grows quickly, blooms through the summer months and later dies with the first killing frost. You can also purchase seeds and start them indoors – or outdoors, if you are in Zones 9-11. Keep the soil moist at 65-85 degrees. Kept at 70-75°F., seedlings emerge in 10-14 days. The easiest route is probably to start with a seedling, but we’ll cover all three here and let you choose for yourself. Coleus are popular plants for good reason. Also, if there is a need for shade plants, Coleus is perfect for areas with limited sun. Shade Garden Garden Plants House Plants Garden Seeds Planting Seeds Planting Flowers From Seeds Growing Flowers Growing Plants Growing Gardens. Coleus seed can be sown at any time of the year if you are growing it as a house plant. To propagate coleus, cut a stem 10-15cm long just below a leaf node. Transplant seedlings of dwarf coleus into the garden 9 to 12 in. 1. Coleus grow easier from cuttings than sown from seed. Get coleus seeds which are typically sold as mixed, which will give you a nice variety in the colors. Coleus seeds grow very slowly. There are some cultivars that are more tolerant of sun, so be sure to read the labels on your selected varieties. We strongly recommend starting coleus indoors, especially if you're gardening outside Zones 10 to 11. Once you have a general idea (typically a safe bet for zone 6 is Mother’s Day, but more on that later), you’ll want to plant your coleus seeds 8-12 weeks before that date. Once the seedling becomes a flower, you should care for it like you would any other flower. Coleus are known for their colorful leaves and are a great addition to shaded or part-sun areas of your garden. However, during cold winter months, coleus plants grown indoors may have trouble getting just enough light. Add another layer of potting soil on top so that the seeds are no longer visible. Its seeds can start in the garden about 8-10 weeks before the date of their last frost. apart. Hello, Coleus 69 and everybody who participated in this thread! Growing Coleus from Seed. Coleus likes a warm and slightly shady spot to grow. Coleus may be grown from seed sown early indoors and transplanted outside after frost, or from potted plants. Plant larger coleus varieties 12 to 18 in. Seeds are inexpensive, readily available and can be sprouted and showing their first colors in as little as two weeks. Growing Tips. They will produce multi colored leaves and their foliage is beautifully attractive. Remove all the leaves from the lower part of the stem and submerge in a glass of water positioned in a warm, sunny spot for a couple of weeks until roots start to emerge from the leaf node, then transplant out. A fifth and final step to growing healthy coleus plants is to make sure any budding flowers are pinched off to prevent allowing to go to seed. The biggest advantage to growing from seed is the variety it opens up in your flower bed. The simplest method is to use a seedling tray full of potting soil and evenly spread seeds across it. Put the seed compost in the tray, leaving a 1cm gap at the top. Once you have bought some seeds you can sow the seeds in the soil indoors at least 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost. Propagate Coleus by cutting In fact, the plants root so easily that you can even start cuttings in a glass of water. To grow plants to a good size for my Mid-Atlantic state of NJ, I sometimes begin growing them right after Christmas. 2. Sprinkle houseplant seed on the top of the seed starting mix. The easiest way to get started growing your own coleus plants is to purchase nursery starts in spring. Growing a Coleus collection from seed is really quite easy and quick. Aloe africana seed pods formed and starting to dehisce (left); seed from pods (right) . Coleus seeds aren't easy germinators, and they're quite tiny. They can also be propagated by seed indoors about 8-10 weeks prior to your last expected spring frost. 46. Coleus can easily be grown from seed, but this is a less popular method for propagation, since the plants don't come true from seed. Pinch back the uppermost tips if the coleus is growing long stalks, and remove flower buds to prevent seed formation. You can start growing flower seeds indoors, in a planter, or outside in your garden or flower bed. Growing Coleus from Seed. When it comes to growing coleus in containers indoors, a lack of light is usually not a problem. Coleus can benefit with bottom heat. Discourage stage fright by providing your coleus seeds with smooth, fine soil, consistent moisture, and indoor fluorescent lighting. They are doing very well, although they are not too tall. Needs light to germinate. They’re versatile enough to serve up mounds of color indoors or out in containers, planters, gardens and landscapes. Sow the coleus seeds in a pot containing seed raising potting mix, just sprinkle the seeds over the damp soil. Place the container in a warm bright place in shade. Coleus seeds are usually found in mixtures, offering several varieties of colors and sizes in one seed mix. Coleus make excellent houseplants too. apart. I am just curious how your plants are doing. If all goes well, eventually one may end up with some seedlings of Aloe africana. 3. With plenty of food, sunshine, pruning, adequate potting soil, and cautious watering, a coleus plant can make an ideal novice entry into an indoor garden. Keep the soil slightly moist when the plant is actively growing… Growing Houseplant Seed in Soil . You will see seedlings in about 2-3 weeks. Aloe africana flowering in my yard (left); Flowers opening up right and ready to be pollinated by bees (right) . Starting from seed, however, brings in the opportunity for a wild rainbow of colors, textures, and styles. Sow sees shallowly lightly covered with fine seed starting soil. Select coleus seed in the colors and leaf shape you prefer. All of these should be removed, leaving only the topmost leaves. Modern coleus is hybrids, they can be propagated from the cutting. Moisture, sunlight, and the proper soil are the most important components to growing a flower from a seed. Fill the tray with damp, lightweight seed starting mix. When to grow. Propagation of Coleus plants is fairly simple. Propagate coleus plants by seed. Another advantage to growing your Coleus this way, is that each packet of seeds will contain many different colors of plants. Press seeds into soil, do not cover. Save money and fill your summer shade gardens with masses of beautiful begonias. Using seeds is a cost-effective way to grow flowers. Water once the soil has dried to a depth of two inches in the container. 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