The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. Technically a tender perennial, a coleus plant is usually grown as an annual. Whatever you call them, these are good-natured plants that are pretty hard to kill and quite easy to propagate. Coleus thrives in heat. Coleus was first discovered in 1853 in the mountains of Java, which is Indonesia’s most populous island today. or _Plectranthus_ spp.) Coleus plants are grown for their brightly colored foliage and need deadheading for optimum growth. 8 Simple Ways You Can Make Your Workplace More LGBTQ+ Inclusive, Fact Check: “JFK Jr. Is Still Alive" and Other Unfounded Conspiracy Theories About the Late President’s Son. It can grow in the patio or small containers. … They range from tiny-leafed ground-covers to small shrubs. In colder zones, container plants are sometimes moved indoors to overwinter. Since 1950 we have been providing a wide range of perennials, annuals, bulbs, shrubs, vines, amaryllis, gardening tools & supplies, and gifts for gardeners. Outside USDA zones 9 through 11, coleus is a beautiful spring-through-fall annual. This pinching encourages dense foliage growth—after all, foliage growth is the goal of planting coleus. The stiff stems can reach a height of 26 inches and the plant will self-seed, so it spreads widely in your garden. Click to see full answer Furthermore, do coleus plants come back every year? Seed Needs, Rainbow Coleus Mix (Coleus blumei) Twin Pack of 800 Seeds Each. Coleus is a perennial, BUT it is native to tropical areas in Africa, so it is not hardy in cooler climates and absolutely will not tollerate any frost. Native to tropical Africa, Asia and Australia, Solenostemon (Coleus) are bushy evergreen perennials, often grown as annuals, prized for their spectacular foliage available in a wide array of electrifying colors and shapes. Technically a tender perennial, a coleus plant is usually grown as an annual. These great foliage plants work well in hanging baskets, pots and planters as well as in the garden. Dwarf varieties can be 6 to 12 inches tall, while standard varieties can be up to 3 feet high. Coleus plants are durable and easy to grow. It may seem counterproductive to cut back a plant that you want more of, but pinching many annual and tender perennial plants—like coleus—encourages branching and full, bushy growth. The U.S. Supreme Court: Who Are the Nine Justices on the Bench Today? Step 3 - Cover At Night. The leaf patterns are distinctly on the wild side — spotted, splashed, and artistically edged in shades of color ranging from purple, yellow, pink, intense red, and luminous chartreuse. Leaf colors include: Green, Yellow, Pink, Red, Purple, and Maroon. Let me start by saying that mine definitely is a perennial (coleus are classified as tender perennials by the way) but are most commonly sold in the trade as an annual. While traditionally shade-tolerant, some modern varieties will thrive in the sun, too. These plants should ideally be spaced 10 to 14 inches apart. Coleus is normally used as an annual bedding plant or in outdoor container gardens and baskets. The relationship among the genera Coleus, Solenostemon and Plectranthus has been confused. Coleus can easily be started from seed indoors about 10 weeks before the last frost date in your region. In the past, coleus plants benefitted from frequently pinching back the growing stems of young plants. Coleus is a perennial, a tropical shrub, that is not hardy except in warm, frost-free zones. Coleus is a very hardy plant and can handle the cutting. Plant usually grows up to 24-30 inches tall. 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