How to Grow Coleus
Coleus scutellarioides
Tender Warm Season
When to Start
Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 15°C and soil has warmed to at least 18°C.
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Growth Stages
Sow seeds
Germination ~14d
Flowering ~70d
Sow seeds
Germination ~14d
Flowering ~70d
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Feed fortnightly with a balanced liquid fertiliser from late spring through summer. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds which can dull leaf colour.
- Pinch out flower spikes as soon as they appear to keep plants bushy and foliage vibrant — once coleus flowers it redirects energy away from leaf production. Take stem cuttings in late summer to overwinter indoors as insurance against frost.
Companion Planting
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Growing Conditions
Min. soil temperature: 18°C+
Germination temperature: 20–25°C
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- Direct sow
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 25 cm |
| Row spacing | 30 cm |
| Sow depth | 0 cm |
| Mature height | 40 cm |
| Mature spread | 30 cm |
Care Guide
- Feeding
- Feed fortnightly with a balanced liquid fertiliser from late spring through summer. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds which can dull leaf colour.
- Watch for
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- Aphids on shoot tips
- Mealybugs under leaves
- Downy mildew in humid conditions
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 18°C |
| Germination temperature | 20–25°C |
| Base growth temperature | 15°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 10h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | short day |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Coleus?
- Plant Coleus 25cm apart with 30cm between rows.
- Is Coleus frost hardy?
- Coleus is classified as Tender.
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