Valuable tips for growing coleus and having a colorful decoration at home

The coleus is full of beauty and personality. With a diversity of varieties, foliage, and incredible colors, it is an easy plant to care for and can be grown both in gardens and indoors. Below, check out tips from biologist and landscape designer Thais Lemos to learn about the species and compose a modern decoration.

What is coleus plant

The coleus, Solenostemon scutellarioides is an ornamental plant that is becoming more and more common in Brazilian gardens. According to Thais Lemos, it has several species and belongs to the family Lamiaceae Also known as the wolf-heart, it is much admired for the beauty of its foliage.

Although it has no toxic sap, the plant should not be eaten, and should ideally be grown away from pets and children.

5 characteristics of coleus

Besides its beautiful foliage, the coleus has some aspects and particularities that make it perfect for decoration:

• The coleus leaves have varied colors, with shades of orange, red, wine, green, purple, and brown. In addition, a single leaf can be formed by a gradient of several colors, explained the expert.
• The coleus species can reach 40 to 90 cm in height. The size depends on the variety.
• The coleus is a perennial plant, meaning that it has a long life cycle. However, over time, it can lose vitality and the beauty of its leaves. The ideal is to cultivate it annually and replant it whenever necessary.
• In landscaping, the plant can be used in conjunction with other species to create a colorful effect in ornamentation. It can be combined, for example, with taller green plants. The contrast looks beautiful in the garden.
• The coleus is originally from South Asia, but has adapted very well to the tropical climate of Brazil.

All these characteristics make the coleus a unique plant; you will surely love to grow it and enjoy all its charm and beauty.

5 types of coleus to have at home

Below, check out the 5 most common types of coleus. The varieties have unique features and aspects that can be used to compose a decoration. Just choose your favorite ornamental plant and bring life to your indoor or outdoor environment.

1. coleus kong

According to the landscape designer, Coleus Kong has pink and red leaves with green edges. This variety is known for its fast growth, but it is more sensitive to hot weather and sun. The ideal is to grow it in half-shaded locations.

2. coleus wizard

This variety is the most common in gardens and presents an explosion of combined colors. It has shades of pink, wine, red, yellow, and green. It is important to keep it in half-shaded environments that receive up to 3 hours of sunlight per day.

3. coleus inky fingers

Coleus Inky Fingers is ideal for those who have less space at home, and can be planted in hanging pots or small planters. The variety has smaller leaves in pink, purple, green, and red.

4. coleus Florida Sun Shine

The Coleus Florida Sun Shine has strong and exotic colors. If you want a garden full of personality, you can bet on this species. It has colors that vary from pink to wine and shades closer to black. The differential of the plant is in its vertical growth.

5. coleus black dragon

Another variety that also draws attention for the strong colors of its leaves, the Coleus Black Dragon is found in shades of purple and black.

With beautiful colors and diverse shades, the coleus guarantees many decorative possibilities. Its varieties allow you to compose a unique decoration full of personality. Below, see the essential care for the plant to grow full of vitality.

How to care for coleus

The coleus is a highly durable plant that is easy to grow. However, it is necessary to pay attention to the soil, to the luminosity, and to the ideal locations for each species:

• Irrigation: The plant appreciates a slightly moist soil, so watering must be frequent. The tip is to perform the irrigation whenever the soil is dry, avoiding waterlogging.
• Fertilization: "The organic fertilization of the plant can be done every two months with worm humus, manure, or bokashi, and the mineral fertilization can be done monthly with NPK 10-10-10 fertilizer," said the specialist.
• Ideal soil: does not require many restrictions regarding the soil, it is only important that it be well drained and with organic matter.
• Luminosity: the plant can be grown in half shade, ensuring at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Seedlings: The multiplication of coleus occurs by means of cuttings (branches) and by seeds. In planting by cuttings, the branches of the healthy plant are taken and planted in drained soil rich in organic matter. In the first days of planting, the young plant must be watered frequently.
• Growing in pots: According to the landscape designer, "the coleus can be grown in medium or large size pots. The planting must be done with a drainage layer, with stones or expanded clay. The pot must also receive a bidim blanket and a well-drained substrate rich in organic matter".

With Thais Lemos' valuable tips, you can't go wrong with this little plant. You can grow it in planters, in hanging pots, and indoors, as long as it has good light.

Tips and curiosities about coleus

To make your coleus as beautiful as the arrangements put together by experts, below you will find more useful information and trivia about growing this beautiful foliage.

More tips for growing coleus at home

In this video, gardener Flávia Kremer brings valuable tips on how to grow coleus. The vlog teaches how to ensure the ideal soil, perfect luminosity, and how to prune correctly. It is interesting to watch the video, because the expert talks about how to set up a charming and beautiful decoration with the foliage.

How to make a self-watering pot to grow coleus

Gardener Henrique Buttler teaches how to make a self-watering pot to grow coleus. The technique is ideal for the plant, which loves to be kept in humid soil.

What is the ideal substrate for the plant

Nutrients are essential components for every plant. In this video, you can see which is the ideal substrate for coleus. The gardener shows which is the most suitable soil for a healthy growth of this species. In addition, he teaches the step by step process for planting the foliage in a pot. It's worth checking out the vlog and taking note of all the tips!

How to make coleus seedlings

If you want to increase the production of coleus at home, press play. In the vlog, gardener Cláudia Müller brings the step by step process of making seedlings by cuttings (branches). It is interesting to watch, because the expert also shows how to ensure a healthy growth for the seedling.

The secret is to add dedication and love in cultivating the plant, so it will always grow beautiful and happy.

10 beautiful coleus pictures to inspire your decoration

Now is the time to bring this beautiful plant into your home or garden in a very special way! Below, see a series of 10 inspiring pictures of coleus in decoration.

1. the coleus brings color and joy to the environments

Its leaves are a real charm

3. its varieties make possible a unique decoration

4. with modern and very versatile combinations

5. the plant can be grown in hanging pots

6. they also look great in planters

7. it is possible to set up a modern decoration

8. and bet on growing at home

9. as long as it is a well-lit environment

10. no doubt you will love the company of a coleus

So now you can bring all the charm, color, and beauty of the coleus to your home and garden! Take the opportunity to also plant the Red Dracena, because it also has beautiful foliage and is easy to grow.