Coleus - care, reproduction

Coleus is a plant valued for the decorative nature of the leaves, not for the flower. The leaves of coleus are variegated, with a varied combination of red, yellow, green, brown colors, spots and stripes. Coleus can be grown both indoors and in a flower bed or in pots in the yard.

Coleus (Coleus) is a representative of the Lamiaceae family. This genus unites approximately 150 species. In its natural environment, coleus can be found in the rainforests of Africa and Asia. Sometimes inexperienced gardeners call coleus “decorative nettle”. Some types of coleus can compete with both croton and other ornamental deciduous plants. Another plus in coleus, it is very easy to care for. The height of an adult plant is up to 35 cm with quadrangular juicy, almost transparent stems and velvety leaves, and the color is rich in various shades. In most species, the shape of the leaves is similar to that of nettle leaves. The flowers of coleus are poorly decorative: small, inconspicuous with a two-lipped corolla with a blue-purple upper and whitish lower lip, collected in complex spikes. Flowers take a lot of strength from the plant, which is why the leaves become smaller, so it is better to remove the buds.

How to care for coleus

Coleus is very easy to care for. It can be grown both indoors and in a flower bed or in pots in the yard.

Light brightness for coleus

Coleus needs a bright growing place. Light colors on the green leaves of coleus become even brighter, but they must be protected from direct sunlight. The optimum temperature in summer is 18 – 22 ° C, in winter – not lower than 12 ° C, in cooler rooms the plant can shed its leaves. In summer, coleus is taken out into the fresh air. And varieties of coleus with bright (for example, red, white and almost white) leaves are able to tolerate direct sunlight. The plant is suitable for growing windowsills on the south, west and east sides

In spring and summer, coleus can lose its bright color ( burnout, or sunburn) this is due to the ingress of excess sunlight on them. For this reason, coleus need to be shaded from the midday sun. Still, coleus need to be accustomed to direct sunlight gradually to avoid sunburn.

How to water coleus

From spring to autumn, you need to water the coleus abundantly, with soft, settled warm water, as the topsoil dries up. If tap water is hard, then use rainwater. In winter, watering should be moderate, but the earthen coma should not be allowed to dry out. Coleus react very sharply to the lack of moisture in the soil – the leaves become flabby. In winter (14-16 ° C or below), the plant is watered very rarely.

Air humidity for coleus

For the normal growth and development of coleus in room conditions, air humidity is important, it must be high, the leaves should be regularly sprayed with settled soft water at room temperature. In winter, coleus are in a state of relative dormancy and almost do not grow – no need to spray

Coleus pruning

To enhance the branching, it is recommended to pinch the apical shoots of coleus. In February, coleus should be cut off, leaving 5-8 buds for new growth.

When to transplant coleus. Coleus feeding

Coleus is transplanted in the spring after pruning the stems. Coleus is not picky about the soil. The substrate for transplantation is taken slightly acidic or neutral (pH 6-7). A mixture of sod, deciduous and humus soil, sand and peat in a ratio of 4: 4: 2: 1: 1 is suitable. In the spring-summer period (during the period of intensive growth), fertilizing with organic or mineral fertilizers is useful, preferably potash (0.3-0.5 g per 1 liter of water) 1 time per week. In winter, the concentration of the solution is reduced by half, fertilized once every 3-4 weeks.

If coleus is grown as an annual, it does not need to be transplanted. In other cases, plant transplantation is carried out 1 time in 2-3 years.

Reproduction of coleus

Coleus is propagated by seeds, cuttings.

Propagation of coleus by seeds

Coleus seeds are small, they are sown in February-March-April and sprinkled with sand on top. Germinate at a temperature of 20-22 ° C. Seedlings appear on the 14-18th day.In the phase of 1-2 pairs of leaves, coleus is planted in 7-centimeter pots of 1 plant. A month later, they are transferred to 9-11 cm pots. The main care of plants consists in watering, keeping them in a lighted place, since the intensity of the color of the leaves largely depends on the lighting (sunlight). Young plants are pinched in order to increase branching.

Coleus propagation by cuttings

Plant cuttings begin in February, but you can do this until May. Coleus cuttings are planted in single boxes or directly on a rack, in the sand. Rooting occurs within 8-12 days. Rooted cuttings are planted in 9 cm pots. The composition of the earth is the same as for picking. In order to obtain branched plants, pinch the top of the shoots.