How to Grow Coleus
Plectranthus scutellarioides
Bold, colorful foliage for shady spots — the most versatile warm-season annual for non-stop color without full sun.
By the Plants by Zone Editorial Team · Reviewed June 1, 2026
About coleus
Coleus is grown entirely for its spectacular foliage: blazing reds, purples, oranges, lime greens, and near-blacks with contrasting margins and veins that shift dramatically with the light. Unlike most colorful annuals, it thrives in shade, making it essential for spots where flowers simply refuse to perform. Modern varieties span the full range from deep-shade types to sun-tolerant series, and all grow quickly into lush, full mounds that hold rich color from late spring until frost.
When to plant and harvest coleus
Timing is relative to your frost dates. Find your USDA zone for exact dates, or browse the month-by-month calendars.
Start seeds indoors
8–10 weeks before last frost
Transplant outdoors
2 weeks after last frost, once nights stay consistently above 50°F
Direct sow
Not recommended — seeds are tiny and germination is unreliable without warmth and light; start indoors instead
Harvest
N/A — pinch stem tips and take cuttings any time to shape or propagate
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How to grow coleus step by step
- 1
Surface-sow seeds on moist starting mix, pressing gently without covering — light is required for germination. Hold at 70–75°F under grow lights.
- 2
Thin seedlings to one per cell once the first true leaves appear; pot up once roots fill the cell.
- 3
Harden off over 7–10 days, then transplant 2 weeks after the last frost once nights are reliably above 50°F.
- 4
Space 12–18 in apart in moist, fertile soil in a shaded or dappled-light location; mulch to keep roots cool and moist.
- 5
Pinch out flower spikes the moment they appear — blooming diverts energy from foliage, reducing leaf size and vibrancy.
- 6
Take 4-in stem cuttings in late summer to root and overwinter indoors on a bright windowsill for next year.
Common problems growing coleus
⚠ Wilting in midday even when soil is moist
The plant is overheating from too much direct sun — move to deeper shade or choose a variety rated for sun.
⚠ Faded, washed-out leaf colors
Too much shade bleaches vivid patterns; move to brighter indirect light for richer color saturation.
⚠ Downy mildew (tan fuzzy patches on leaf undersides)
Improve air circulation, water at the base only, and avoid wetting foliage; remove and discard heavily infected plants.
⚠ Mealybugs or whitefly on overwintered cuttings
Inspect all plants before bringing them indoors; treat with insecticidal soap and isolate infected pots immediately.
✗ Keep away from
🧺 Harvesting coleus
Coleus is grown for foliage, not harvest. Pinch growing tips every few weeks to keep plants full and bushy. To propagate a favorite color, snip 4-in stem cuttings just below a leaf node and root them in water or moist potting mix — they strike readily in one to two weeks.
Coleus: frequently asked questions
When should you plant coleus?＋
In most regions you start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost, then transplant 2 weeks after last frost, once nights stay consistently above 50°F. Timing is relative to your last frost, so find your USDA hardiness zone for the exact planting dates where you live.
Can coleus grow in full sun?＋
Sun-tolerant series like ColorBlaze and Flame Thrower handle direct sun well, but most coleus performs best in part shade, where the colors are richest and the plant doesn't wilt midday. Always check the variety label — the range within coleus is enormous.
How do I overwinter my favorite coleus colors?＋
Before the first frost, take 4-in cuttings from your best-colored plants, root them in water or damp potting mix, and grow them on a bright windowsill through winter. They will be ready to harden off and plant out again the following spring.
Sources & review
Written and maintained by the Plants by Zone Editorial Team. Planting times are based on USDA hardiness zones and NOAA frost-date normals, with care guidance drawn from Cooperative Extension sources. Last reviewed June 1, 2026.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone MapNOAA U.S. climate normalsCooperative Extension
Grow coleus in your zone
See exactly when to plant and what else to grow alongside coleus, tailored to your USDA hardiness zone.
