Coleus

Flower · warm season

Coleus leaves, purple edged with green
Photo: Wilfredor, Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

When to plant

  • Start seeds indoors about 10 weeks before planting out.
  • Plant outdoors about 2 weeks after your average last spring frost.
  • Ready to harvest about 50 days after planting out.

Grown for its leaves: pinch off flower spikes to keep it bushy. Sun-tolerant varieties take more light.

Frost dates depend on where you live. Enter your ZIP code to get exact dates.

Growing basics

Not edible.

Harmful to pets. Toxic to cats and dogs (vomiting, skin irritation).

Sun
Shade
Spacing
12 in
Soil temperature
At least 60°F
Time to harvest
About 50 days
Containers
At least 1 gallons
Plant family
Mint family (herbs)
Seeds keep
About 2 years

Grow it well

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