Coleus Solenostemon 'Picturatus' (v)

Water

Coleus, commonly known as Solenostemon 'Picturatus', should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Typically, this will mean watering the plant once every week or two, but this can vary depending on the humidity and temperature of your environment. To water your coleus, slowly pour water at the base of the plant until it begins to drain out of the bottom of the pot, which could be around 16 ounces for small pots or up to 2 gallons for larger pots. Avoid getting water on the leaves to prevent diseases. During the winter months, reduce the frequency of watering as the plant's growth slows.

Light

Coleus thrives in bright, indirect light. Place it in a location where it will receive plenty of light but is shielded from the harsh rays of the direct afternoon sun. An east-facing window where it gets gentle morning light or a north-facing window with consistent but filtered light are ideal spots for this plant.

Temperature

Coleus prefers a warm environment and should be kept in temperatures ranging from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate a minimum temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but anything lower might be harmful to the plant. Temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit can cause stress to the plant, so it's important to avoid placing your coleus in overly hot conditions.

Pruning

Prune coleus to encourage bushier growth and prevent it from becoming leggy. Pinch back the growing tips every few weeks during the growing season to stimulate lateral branching. The best time to prune heavily is in the early spring, though light pruning can be done throughout the season as needed. Cutting back flowers as they appear directs the plant's energy towards foliage growth instead of seed production.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Coleus 'Picturatus' thrives in a well-draining potting mix, consisting of two parts peat moss to one part perlite or sand. The ideal soil pH for Coleus is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. Regular potting soil amended with organic material will also support its growth.

Repotting

Coleus 'Picturatus' should be repotted every year, or when it outgrows its current pot, which can be evident when roots start to crowd. The best time to repot this plant is in the spring, as it enters a period of active growth.

Humidity & Misting

Coleus 'Picturatus' prefers a high humidity environment, with ideal humidity levels ranging from 40% to 70%. To increase humidity, you can mist the plant regularly or place a humidity tray beneath the pot.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Coleus 'Picturatus' in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.

• Outdoor

  Grow Coleus 'Picturatus' in partial shade with well-drained soil.

• Hardiness zone

  10-11 USDA

Life cycle

Solenostemon 'Picturatus', commonly known as Coleus 'Picturatus', begins its life cycle when seeds are sown in warm, moist soil where they germinate, usually within one to two weeks. After sprouting, the seedlings go through a growth phase where they develop distinctive multicolored foliage that is characteristic of the coleus, provided they receive sufficient light and nutrients. In their vegetative stage, they grow rapidly, and gardeners often pinch back the tips to encourage bushier growth and prevent early flowering, which can divert energy away from foliage development. If allowed to mature and not pinched back, coleus plants may produce small, less conspicuous flowers on spikes in the late summer or early fall. As an annual plant in most temperate climates, coleus completes its life cycle within one year, dying off with the first frost; however, it can be overwintered indoors or propagated from cuttings to preserve desirable traits. At the end of the growing season, seeds can be collected from the flowers if they were allowed to bloom, continuing the life cycle with the next generation of plants.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Solenostemon 'Picturatus', commonly known as Coleus, can be easily propagated through stem cuttings. The ideal time for taking cuttings is during the warmer months, spring through early fall, as this ensures a more successful rooting process due to the plant's active growth during these periods. To propagate by stem cuttings, a healthy, non-flowering shoot should be selected and cut just below a leaf node, typically 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long. The lower leaves are then removed, and the cut end is dipped into rooting hormone to enhance root development. The prepared cutting is then placed into a pot filled with moistened soilless potting mix and loosely covered with plastic to maintain humidity. The soil should be kept slightly moist but not waterlogged. Roots usually develop within a few weeks, after which the plastic can be removed and the young Coleus plant gradually acclimatized to less humid conditions before transplanting.