Basic Coleus Plant Care
These are one of the most colourful houseplants out there and really bring something special to every room. Below you will find our complete Coleus Plant care guide with everything you need to know to help your plant thrive!
| Light |
Bright Indirect LightI love the sunshine but too much direct light will damage my leaves. |
| Water |
Water ModeratelyI don’t like my soil to be too dry or too soggy. Little and often is what I’m after. |
| Humidity |
High HumidityI thrive in humid environments so please mist my leaves every so often. |
| Soil |
Draining SoilI like a mix that includes peat moss and perlite as these prevent my roots from becoming water-logged. |
Coleus Plants need shade to survive
Coleus Plants don’t really like too much sunlight and do best in medium to low light areas. If you notice the variegation fading on the leaves then it will need a bit more sunlight. It’s all about getting the right balance.
Keep the soil moist but not soggy
Another thing to properly balance when caring for Coleus Plants is water. They like to have some moisture in the soil but will suffer from root rot if the potting mix gets waterlogged so keep an eye on how much you are watering.
Warm temperatures is a must
It might be difficult to grow Coleus Plants in cold parts of the world because they need warm temperatures to properly grow.
Up the humidity by misting
Coleus Plants will love you forever if you mist their leaves once a week. This should help keep the humidity up and stop the leaves from drying out.
Fertilisation is optional
Most of the time, Coleus Plants will get all the nutrients they need from their soil so there isn’t a need for fertilisation. You might also notice that the leaves lose some of their intense colour if you feed your plant often.
Propagate through stem cutting
It really couldn’t be easier to propagate your Coleus Plant. Simply take a few cuttings and place them in water. Regularly change out the water and you should see roots start to develop. We recommend propagating in spring to give the best chance of success.
Keep them away from pets
Unfortunately, Coleus Plants are toxic to pets so keep them out of reach of any animals that might try to nibble on the leaves.
Coleus Plant FAQs
Quick and simple answers to the most common questions we see about the Coleus Plant.
Can you grow Coleus Plants indoors?
Yes absolutely! Coleus Plants indoors. In fact, they do really well growing in pots and if given the right care and if growing in the right environment, they’ll be thriving!
Are Coleus Plants toxic?
Yes, Coleus Plants are toxic and dangerous to ingest.
Can a Coleus Plant tolerate full sun?
No, in fact Coleus Plants actually prefer more medium light levels and can get quite damaged if exposed to too much light. However, if you start to notice the leaves on your Coleus Plant fading, this can mean it needs more sunlight.
How often should I water my Coleus Plant?
Coleus Plants like to have some moisture in the soil but will suffer from root rot if the potting mix gets waterlogged so keep an eye on how much you are watering and adjust depending on the seasons.
Do I need to fertilise my Coleus Plant?
It’s actually not a requirement to fertilise your Coleus Plant. You can see plenty of new healthy growth without it.
Common Problems with your Coleus Plant
Here are some common issues that you might run into. It's important to diagnose any issues early to give your plant the best chance of bouncing back.
Why are the leaves on my Coleus Plant turning brown?
The most common reason why Coleus Plant may have developed brown leaves is underwatering. They are somewhat forgiving if you occasionally forget to water but overtime the leaves will go dry if you aren’t watering enough.
