Coleus is a semi-shrub that has brightly colored leaves. In the people it is often called "nettle" and indeed, it is very similar to the stinging nettle in the shape of the leaves.
Coleus is not a demanding flower, it grows quickly in nature and at home. In one season, the coleus forms a cap of leaves.
The coleus flower has different shades of leaves: pink, green, burgundy, brown, purple. Many types and varieties, for example: Avatar, Jinda, Bloom's Coleus, Brilliant, Renelta, Pumila, Black Dragon, Wizard, Joy, Rainbow, Scarlet. Faust, Magma and others.
Coleus has different shades of leaves
In our article, we will tell you in detail how to grow a coleus at home, how to properly care for this plant, how to root it at home, how to transplant a plant correctly, and where are coleus usually planted?
back to index ↑How to grow coleus?
The easiest way to grow coleus is from seed. This flower is not rare and can be found in stores that sell flowers and seeds. A bag of seeds is inexpensive, from 20 rubles.
Coleus is easy to grow from seed.
We take a small container with earth, scatter a bag of seeds, pour water. It is advisable to organize a mini greenhouse, good light and warmth. After a while, the first sprouts appear, which can then be transplanted into the ground.
coleus sprouts
Another option for growing coleus is to cut the stem into pieces with leaves. We plant in water and in a few days roots appear. Then the root part forms even more roots. With this option, you can divide the entire bush in a pot and get a huge number of future flowers.
Coleus propagation by leaf
Care.
As mentioned above, coleus is not a whimsical plant, but you still need to know about its care.
Light.
Coleus does not like direct sunlight. If you put the coleus on the windowsill with direct sunlight, then its leaves will become pale, burns may occur, the plant will begin to shed its leaves and the appearance will deteriorate greatly.
Coleus does not like direct sunlight
It can be placed near the light, because it stretches its leaves towards the light.
In order for the plant to evenly form leaves, from time to time you need to turn the pot.
Pot.
The shrub needs a spacious pot. There should be holes at the bottom of the pot through which excess water will flow.
When the coleus grows, the root system increases, then the pot must be changed to another, larger diameter than the previous one.
Coleus needs a spacious pot
Watering.
Coleus loves to drink water. It is best if the pot will stand in a transparent deep flowerpot and you can see how much water is there.
It is necessary to water the plant with settled water, if possible, then with melted snow, water from a well or filtered water.
Coleus is watered with settled water
From the dryness of the soil, the coleus sheds leaves.
If the coleus grows in a summer cottage or in a flower bed, then you need to water it even more often and with plenty of water.
Top dressing.
Periodically, you can add mineral fertilizers to the ground so that the color of the leaves is more saturated and the plant grows well. The method of application is described on the back of each fertilizer. The most common top dressings in powder cost from 10 rubles per bag.
For a rich color of the leaves, fertilize
Temperature regime.
16-25 degrees for keeping coleus is the optimal temperature at home. But also coleus can grow in nature, where the temperature is lower.
Humidity.
Coleus is a moisture-loving plant. It must be sprayed from a spray bottle. If possible, put a small fountain, ionizer or humidifier next to the shrub.
Coleus needs regular spraying
In nature, it can be planted next to water bodies.
The soil.
The plant is not demanding and any nutrient mixture will do. If possible, it can be planted in the ground from their summer cottage.
Useful tips for coleus:
- in order for the plant to look beautiful on the windowsill and in a pot, you need to choose a plain pot so that it emphasizes the beauty of the variegated leaves. A motley pot with a motley pot will look ugly;
Coleus harmoniously looks in a plain pot
- if in a room where the coleus is warm, for example in the summer, then you need to water it more;
- insert a stick (kebab skewers or sushi sticks) into a pot with a flower and periodically loosen the ground;
Periodically loosen the earth in a pot
- if it is not possible to install an ionizer, a small fountain, then pour water into mugs and arrange around the coleus;
back to index ↑How to root coleus?
If your plant has grown all over the pot, has long stems, then it is better to cut them off so that the bush looks neat and beautiful.
Cut off a small cutting from the plant. You can cut a few.
We remove the bottom row of leaves so that they do not rot in the water.
coleus stalk
We put the cutting in a container, preferably dark with a narrow neck, so that it stands straight. For example, you can use an empty medicine bottle. You can also use a bath for manicure.
Pour boiled, filtered, well water or settled water.
Place the coleus cutting in a clear container of water.
After some time, the first roots appear on the handle, then they increase in size.
back to index ↑How to plant a coleus
After the coleus has roots, you can plant it in the ground. We do not immediately plant in a large pot, we plant a small stalk in a small pot.
Coleus cuttings are planted in small containers
For transplanting, you can use a regular plastic cup. It will clearly show how the plant develops, what kind of root system and whether it is ready to be transplanted into a larger container. How dry is the soil and whether the plant still needs to be watered.
Using scissors, cut off the lower side of the cup or make holes with a hot nail on fire.
With the help of a small spatula, pour the earth. Pour a little earth, somewhere half a glass. We lower the stalk and fall asleep with earth.
Watering.
A transparent glass allows you to see the level of moisture in the soil
It is not necessary to make a mini greenhouse for the cutting, because the coleus gives roots well and grows.
back to index ↑Transplant to another pot.
A coleus stalk in a plastic cup can be taken to a summer cottage and planted in the ground. If there is no summer cottage, then we plant it in a larger pot.
When should you transplant a coleus into another pot?
When the stalk has grown up, when it is cramped in a pot, when a large flower and a small pot do not look harmonious. If the cutting is in a transparent plastic cup, then you can see that the roots are in contact with the cup over the entire surface.
Transplanting coleus into a large pot
The pot needs a larger size than the previous container. You can use a clay pot, you can use a plastic one.
We lay out drainage at the bottom of the pot - expanded clay or you can use foam.
Pour soil into half of the pot.
Choose a larger pot
We take a coleus that needs to be transplanted. Pot a little with my hands. We hold the stem at the root system with one hand, with the other we remove the pot from below. It comes out of the pot easily. If not, then we hook it with a spoon.
We lower it into the center of the pot for transplanting. We cover with earth around.
Water and put in a flower tray.
Where are coleus usually planted?
– in an apartment or office;
Coleus charges with a good mood, its motley coloring brings positive.
Coleus looks great in any interior
- in the suburban area;
You can ennoble your summer cottage with the help of coleus flowers. If there is a pond, then you can plant a coleus next to it, because it loves moisture.
Coleus is ideal for giving
- in the city flowerbed;
Coleuses are gaining the greatest popularity in city flower beds. Their variegated foliage attracts the eye, they are photographed next to them;
Coleus is a frequent visitor to city flowerbeds
- winter Garden;
In the winter garden, coleus leaves will stand out from other flowers. The semi-shrub will complement the already existing types of flowers in the winter garden.
Coleus in the winter garden
Where to buy coleus?
Coleus can be found in various places. Varietal plants of this flower are more difficult to find, they are more interesting and diverse.
– flower shops and markets;
A shop that sells flowers sells not only flowers, many sell coleus seeds. In an online flower shop.
Coleus can be bought at a flower shop
- free bulletin boards;
The greatest popularity is now gaining free classified ads. People put up goods for sale, including potted flowers and seedlings.
The price depends on whether it is a cutting, in a small container or a plant in a pot with many leaves.
– forums;
If you like flowers, you can register on the flower forum. Learn about the subtleties, secrets of caring for flowers. On the same site you can buy a coleus.
Buy Coleus to your apartment, office. Grow from seeds, plant in a summer cottage, near the entrance. Give it to relatives and friends for the holidays, because flowers in pots will delight a person for a long time!
