Coleus
Coleus scutellarioides
Coleus is a shade-loving annual with decorative foliage in a huge variety of colors and styles. It's a great way to add color to shady areas! We love it in pots and along borders!
Coleus grows rapidly and benefits from frequent pinching: when an internode reach a length of two or three inches, snip the stem with a clean pair of sharp scissors just above a pair of leaves. This will encourage branching and produce a fuller, bushier plant.
As a bonus, coleus cuttings root easily in just water, making them perfect for propagating all summer long! Carefully trim off all but the top two pairs of leaves and place the bottom inch or two of the stem in water. Ensure the stem stays immersed and in a week or two, you should see roots starting to form. Another week or two after that, you should be ready to move the rooted cutting into a pot or straight into your garden!
Unlike many other members of the Mint family, Coleus doesn't spread too aggressively, so it works well mixed in with other plants. Plant it in with your hostas, ferns, and other shade loving perennials to add a pop of color. It looks great along fences, around trees, and as a garden border.
Plant mixed varieties in pots to dress up a shady patio.
Keep up with pinching to ensure they stay full and bushy.
Be sure to check the pots occasionally for roots that are growing out the bottom; it might be time for a larger pot! And remember that potted plants generally need more water than those in the ground, so check the soil frequently.
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