Coleus, Coleus spp., is a genus of tropical foliage plants in the Lamiaceae or mint family, prized for its bold colors and striking variegation.
In USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 11, they are grown outdoors as perennials. Gardeners elsewhere plant them in-ground or in pots as annuals, tossing them out at the end of the growing season.
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These colorful foliage plants thrive in shady locations, with mature dimensions up to three feet tall with an equal spread, depending upon the variety.
In our guide to growing coleus, we cover how to cultivate these easy-care plants in your landscape.
This guide discusses how to bring coleus indoors to enjoy it as a houseplant.
Getting Started
Coleus are easy to grow from seed, but if you have access to an existing plant you can take stem cuttings or simply purchase a potted nursery start.
Seedlings in seed starter trays with a few true leaves, cuttings in water that have grown visible roots, and nursery starts in plastic pots are all ready to transplant to more permanent homes.
Porous ceramic containers, like terracotta, offer excellent air permeability and excess moisture evaporation.
They should have ample drainage holes and you will need removable drip saucers for moisture management and furniture protection.
Use an eight-inch pot for one plant or space multiple between six and 12 inches apart in large vessels.
Select a quality potting soil that is fertile, moisture-retentive, and well-draining.
This product from Midwest Hearth provides nutrient-rich peat moss and absorbent perlite and vermiculite.
Premium Potting Soil with Peat Moss
It retains moisture while facilitating excess water drainage to prevent oversaturation and rotting.
Premium Potting Soil with Peat Moss is available from the Midwest Hearth Store via Amazon.
To pot up seedlings, rooted cuttings, and nursery starts:
- Sanitize your container(s) with a nine-to-one water to bleach solution, rinse well, and air dry.
- Fill approximately two-thirds full of potting soil.
- Set the clump of earth containing the plant so it is centered over the pot. The bottom leaves should be slightly above the rim of the container.
- Mound the soil in the center to achieve the desired placement. The soil around the edges should be about a half an inch to an inch below the rim, so you can water easily without it spilling over.
- Backfill and secure your coleus in an upright position.
Water the potting medium until it drips from the drainage holes, taking care to aim the watering can at the soil. Avoid wetting the leaves to inhibit fungal disease.
Cultivars to Select
There are a large number of different coleus cultivars in a wide variety of beautiful colors.
Here are a few favorites to get you started:
Chocolate Covered Cherry
With dramatic, multicolored leaves of pink, surrounded by burgundy and edged in green, ‘Chocolate Covered Cherry’ is a stunning cultivar.
‘Chocolate Covered Cherry’
You can find packets of 10 seeds available at Burpee.
Coral Candy
‘Coral Candy’ won the All-America Selections award in 2023 for its vibrant colors and compact form.
This hybrid cultivar features pink and green foliage.
‘Coral Candy’
You can find packets of seeds available at Eden Brothers.
Watermelon
‘Watermelon’ is a hugely popular cultivar with dramatic pink and bright green edging. Deep red veins give the leaves texture and interest.
‘Watermelon’
You can find packets of 25 seeds or a four-plant bundle to get you started quickly, available at Burpee.
How to Grow
Indoor coleus thrives when we meet its cultural requirements.
Light
Choose a location in indirect sunlight, preferably near a north- or east-facing window.
Avoid situating the plants directly in a cold draft or near hot air vents. The ideal temperature is between 60 and 75°F.
It’s a good idea to rotate your pots occasionally so all the foliage receives the benefits of the available light to maintain even growth.
Water and Humidity
Maintain even moisture by watering when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. Use a popsicle stick or chopstick as a guide, or purchase a moisture meter.
If your home is especially dry, consider placing pots on a bed of moist stones to increase the ambient humidity.
Fertilizing
Fertilize at planting time and annually in early spring.
Use a liquid plant food diluted to half-strength. Choose one that is nitrogen-rich for foliage rather than one for flowers.
Miracle-gro Tropical Houseplant Food is formulated with copper, iron, magnesium, and manganese micronutrients to support the robust growth of lush tropical foliage.
Miracle-Gro Tropical Houseplant Food
Miracle-Gro Tropical Houseplant Food is available from the Miracle-Gro Store via Amazon.
Pinching
Coleus grows fast. Pinch back the clusters of fresh young leaves, called “tip growth,” an inch or two to promote a compact, bushy form.
Blooming, although pretty, halts leaf production. If you see inflorescences or flower spikes rising above the leaves, pinch them off before they bloom to keep the plant looking sharp.
Repotting
When the foliage doubles in size, go up one pot size.
Resist the temptation to go larger; the bigger the pot, the longer the soil stays wet after watering, and the greater the risk of oversaturation and rotting.
Winter Care
Coleus goes into semi-dormancy during the fall and winter months.
As growth slows down, so does the need for watering. Use your wood stick or moisture meter to avoid oversaturation.
Pests and Disease
Indoor flora is not immune to pests and disease. Avoiding excessively dry or wet conditions goes a long way toward minimizing the risk of both.
Some pests you may face are:
Let’s discuss.
Aphids, Mealybugs, Spider Mites, and Whiteflies
Aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and whiteflies are all sapsucking pests that cause foliar discoloration and disfigurement.
It’s best to avoid wetting coleus leaves to inhibit fungal growth. In the case of an infestation, however, a rinse under the kitchen faucet can remove most of the pests.
Follow-up with an application of horticultural organic insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Neem Oil is a fungicide, insecticide, and miticide that you can use preventatively and as a treatment for sapsucking insects and mildew pathogens.
It is safe for indoor and outdoor use. Note that it has a strong, garlic-like odor.
Bonide Neem Oil
Bonide® Neem Oil is available from Arbico Organics in quart and gallon ready-to-spray bottles and a pint-sized concentrate.
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails are less likely to be an issue on indoor flora than outdoor.
However, if you give your pots an al fresco summer vacation and conditions are damp, they may pose a problem.
See our guide to slug and snail eradication for information.
Disease
Diseases to be aware of include:
- Downy Mildew
- Powdery Mildew
- Root Rot
- Let’s explore each.
Downy Mildew
Downy mildew is caused by Peronospora choii, a water-mold (oomycete) and infection causes soggy spotting on the foliage.
As the disease progresses, the leaves turn yellow and brown before dropping from the plant.
Pathogens favor flora that is over- or underfertilized and cool, wet conditions with high humidity.
Proactive avoidance measures include:
- Minimizing leaf wetness
- Reducing humidity if it exceeds 85 percent
- Using sanitized gardening tools
- Spacing generously for optimal air circulation
Treat houseplants with organic neem oil preventatively under less than ideal conditions and at the first signs of infection.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease caused by numerous host-specific pathogens.
Symptoms include a white-to-grayish powdery coating generally on the upper leaf surfaces, leaf and shoot disfigurement, and leaf drop.
Spores proliferate under dry conditions or those that are cool and humid.
Unlike many fungi, the spores don’t require water for germination, and water inhibits the activation of most types.
Proactive steps include:
- Avoiding moisture stress from both under- and overwatering
- Buying powdery mildew-resistant cultivars
- Spacing generously
- Treatment with neem oil is usually effective
You can learn more about powdery mildew in our guide.
Root Rot
Coleus root rot is caused by Rhizoctonia solani fungus and Pythium water mold species.
Symptoms include leaf yellowing, wilting, and growth anomalies including stunting and stem fissures. The roots collapse, discolor, and soften.
These pathogens thrive in oversaturated soil that inhibits the ability of the roots to absorb oxygen.
Preventative measures include:
- Growing in pots with ample drainage holes
- Supplying appropriate sunlight
- Using potting soil with absorbent perlite and/or vermiculite
- Watering when the top inch of soil is dry
There is no cure for root rot, but you can try and save the plant. If it is evident, unpot the affected plant, and snip off and discard sodden roots and disfigured stems in the trash.
Sanitize the pot with a nine-to-one water to bleach solution, rinse, and let it air dry.
Repot with fresh growing medium.
You can learn more about how to deal with root rot in our guide.
A Kaleidoscope of Color
Because most types of coleus are shade-loving, their ability to adapt to indoor light is outstanding. Most appealing is the expansive palette of variegated foliage from which to choose.
Are you looking for a vibrant, easy-care houseplant that isn’t a sunny window diva?
Add coleus to your indoor decor for a kaleidoscope of non-fussy, eye-catching color.
Do you grow coleus? In pots or the garden? Indoors or outdoors? Please share in the comments section below.
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