Is coleus a perennial that comes back every year?
That depends on where you live and how you care for it.
So is coleus a perennial?
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Growing a coleus as a perennial is easy, should you wish to keep a favorite variety around.
Here’s what you oughta know to enjoy coleus as aperennial or annual plant.
What Are Coleus Plants?
Coleusis a genus of stunning foliage plants in the mint family.
While coleus plants were initially grown as shade plants, breeders have been working to make them more versatile.
Coleus varieties range in size from short 8-inch plants to 3-foot-tall giants bursting with colorful leaves.
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Is Coleus a Perennial?
You may find coleus listed as annuals in catalogs or on websites, which isnt technically correct.
Theyre hardy only inUSDA Zones1011, areas that don’t typically experience freezing temperatures.
Plants like this are known as tender perennials.
Growing Coleus as a Perennial
Coleus will survive for multiple years if conditions are right.
However, exposure to frost is the end of the line for a coleus.
Overwinter a container-grown coleus by bringing it indoorsbefore cold weather hits in autumn.
Treat it as a houseplant, providingbright but indirect lightand keeping the soil slightly moist.
You wont need to add fertilizer during winter, but you might trim the plant back if you like.
If the coleus is too large to bring inside,take cuttingsin early fall and root them indoors.
Plant the rooted cuttings in pots like houseplants until spring when you could plant them outside again.
Growing Coleus as an Annual
Coleus plants are more often grown as annuals andcomposted in fall.
New varieties are available every year.
You could fill a garden bed with coleus and never repeat a color or leaf shape.
To grow coleus as annuals, treat them as you would any other annual in you garden.
Coleus in containers.
They’ll reward you with a lush and colorful display.
Coleus in garden beds.
Dont be afraid to plant coleus in the ground, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, deer dont eat coleus, or at least not much.
It is mildly toxic and might leave a bad taste on their tongues.
Pinching coleus plants encourages them to develop a compact and bushy shape with lots of foliage.
Pinch back the stem tips with pruners or your fingers every few weeks to promote more branching.
Coleus roots easily in water.
Change the water twice weekly.
Coleus grown from cuttings will look identical to the parent plant.
