Coleus plug plant care
Coleus is grown for vivid foliage. It can be a bright houseplant or a tender outdoor container plant in warm weather, but it is not frost hardy.
Potting on
Move the plug into a small pot with drainage holes and fresh peat-free multipurpose or houseplant compost. Avoid jumping to a very large pot, because unused compost stays wet for longer. Keep the plug at its original depth and water it in.
Light
Indoors, give coleus bright light. Outdoors, many varieties do well in part shade; strong midday sun can scorch or wilt tender plants, while very low light can produce weak, stretched growth. Acclimatise plants gradually when moving them outdoors.
Water
Aim for evenly moist but well-drained compost during active growth. Water when the surface begins to dry, then allow excess water to escape. Do not leave the pot standing in water.
Make the plant bushier
Once the plant is growing strongly, pinch out a soft stem tip just above a pair of leaves. New shoots should develop below the pinch. Repeat selectively as the plant grows; regular light trimming is usually better than one severe cut on a tiny plug.
Feeding and winter
Feed lightly during active spring and summer growth, following the fertiliser label. Bring outdoor-grown coleus inside before cold autumn nights. Growth normally slows as UK light levels fall, so reduce feeding and avoid keeping the compost saturated.
Troubleshooting
- Long gaps between leaves: give brighter light and pinch growing tips.
- Brown, crisp patches: check for sudden hot sun, dry compost or cold damage.
- Soft stems or sour-smelling compost: reduce watering and improve drainage.
- Fine webbing, sticky leaves or distorted new growth: inspect closely for spider mites, whitefly or aphids.
See coleus currently in stock and read the plug-plant arrival guide.