Henna coleus is one of the varieties that have really been impressive in Hammond Research Station trials over the past few years. Like all coleuses, Henna is not a true annual even though we just grow it for the summer season. It is actually a tender perennial grown as a summer annual .
Do coleus plants come back every year?
Coleus is a perennial , a tropical shrub, that is not hardy except in warm, frost-free zones.
Is coleus perennial or annual?
Solid-color, sun-tolerant coleus is an easy-to-grow annual foliage plant that provides bold color to container gardens or landscape beds where it will intertwine with flowering annuals and perennials to brighten shady nooks. It is available in a broad range of colors, which are usually most intense in bright light.
Can you keep coleus over winter?
Overwintering coleus plants is actually quite easy. They can be dug up and overwintered indoors , or you can take cuttings from your healthy plants to make additional stock for next season’s garden.
Are there any perennial coleus?
Although technically an evergreen perennial , coleus are usually grown as annuals because these tender tropical plants can’t handle even the slightest frost.
How do I make my coleus bushy?
You can make coleus bushy by routinely pinching the stems and leaves from the plant . Over time, the main stem or trunk of your coleus will become strong and support a larger, fuller plant. Regular feeding with a diluted liquid fertilizer can also promote growth.
How long do coleus plants last?
In a frost-free area, coleus normally lives for several years . In USDA zones 10 through 11, the winter is mild enough to plant coleus in the ground. Coleus appreciates moist soil that drains well.
Do coleus reseed themselves?
There are many plants that reseed themselves. Popular flowering plants that will come back year after year can include annuals, biennials and perennials. Annuals – popular annuals that reseed include forget-me-nots, coleus and marigolds.
Is coleus poisonous to dogs?
The cause of coleus poisoning is exposure to or consumption of any part of the coleus. The essential oils are toxic to dogs and other small animals and children and are quickly absorbed through the skin, causing intense irritation and central nervous system abnormalities.
Can you keep coleus as a houseplant?
Growing coleus plants indoors isn’t at all difficult but does require a few basic needs when it comes to light and temperature. Coleus likes bright light, but be careful of intense sunlight. ... Coleus as an indoor plant performs best in temperatures between 60 and 75 F.
What do you do with coleus in the winter?
Coleus should be kept rather dry over the winter to avoid rotting their roots . Remember, these are tropical plants that prefer sun and heat. They don’t take kindly to cold, wet soil, so water only when the pot seems fairly light and the soil surface is completely dry. (You’ll get the hang of it with a little practice.)
Does coleus like sun or shade?
Coleus thrive in cool, evenly moist, well-drained soil. Consistent moisture is good, but soggy conditions cause root disease. Watering should complement available sun. Some modern coleus varieties handle full sun, but most still flourish with at least dappled shade and direct sun limited to morning hours.
Do coleus plants spread?
Do not crowd coleus close together. They spread out to about 16 inches across , so keep the leaves from shading each other by planting at least 12 inches away from each other in the garden. Some coleus prefer bright sun, but most do best and achieve the most vivid color in partial shade.
Should I cut back coleus?
Your coleus will keep its best looks if you prune it every two or three months all winter . If you want to increase its numbers, no plant is easier to start from cuttings. Coleus root so easily that they will even grow in water, although plants started in potting soil will grow faster.
Can you take cuttings from coleus?
Coleus plants are easy to propagate. Take cuttings in summer to increase your supply of plants, then grow them on for next season in a greenhouse or conservatory.
Should I let my coleus flower?
Coleus plant flowering signals the end of the plant’s life cycle, and plants usually die soon after they are allowed to produce blooms. ... You can just leave them on and enjoy the plant as an annual, or take steps to encourage thicker growth and continued life in a greenhouse or cold frame.
