What is the best fertilizer for coleus?
Incorporate a granular general-purpose fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium into the soil at time of planting. After planting, coleus should be fertilized monthly using a fertilizer with equal ratios again to promote foliage growth and not flowering. Pruning back coleus helps them grow fuller and bushier instead of tall and leggy. Just snip above a leaf node, and your plant will send out two new shoots!Newly planted Coleus will need to be watered daily for the first week. Once the plant is established, it may be able to go a few days before watering, depending on the weather and humidity in your area. Coleus has high water needs and generally prefers consistently damp soil.You can make coleus bushy by routinely pinching the stems and leaves from the plant. Over time, the main stem or trunk of your coleus will become strong and support a larger, fuller plant. Regular feeding with a diluted liquid fertilizer can also promote growth.Coleus can grow well in pots or the ground, making them a versatile addition to an outdoor space. The colorful foliage of Coleus will brighten up a patio, porch, or balcony. When grown in a container, the plant can easily be moved to a spot in need of color or an area that provides more favorable conditions.If you keep them outdoors, where you live will be a crucial factor. If you keep them indoors and in the right conditions, it should live for several years. Coleus is a perennial plant when it has the right environment.
How do I make my coleus fuller?
The “trick” to get a fuller coleus is to keep pinching the tops. In addition to getting two stems at the cut, it’ll make the plant focus on making growth lower down. Q: How can I overwinter coleus plants so I don’t have to buy new ones each spring? A: The easiest method is to pot up stem cuttings. Most growers and home gardeners use this method in late fall to overwinter coleus plants or in early spring to increase their stock of hard-to-find cultivars.It’s easy: you just need to pinch them. It may seem counterproductive to cut back a plant that you want more of, but pinching many annual and tender perennial plants—like coleus—encourages branching and full, bushy growth.Coleus will benefit from being cut back if they stay outdoors for winter, while there are also great reasons to cut back coleus if you want to overwinter plants indoors. When you move plants indoors and trim them for winter, you can also propagate coleus for next year by taking cuttings.You can prune coleus anytime, but when it is actively growing (spring and summer) are the best times to do so. You can trim all of the stems/branches at the same time but allow enough time between prunings for the plant to heal and re-energize.
How to fix leggy coleus?
All you do is pinch/ prune off the top set of leaves off the very top of the stem which will encourage it to make new leaves further down the stem. Coleus are extremely easy to propagate and prune. In their native tropical environments, coleus plants can live for several years as perennials. However, in most temperate climates, they are grown as annuals and will only live for one growing season before being killed by frost.Miracle Grow is good for Coleus, but make sure to follow the instructions before applying. You can use a slow-release fertilizer mixed into the soil if you find that easier.How Often To Water Coleus. Newly planted Coleus will need to be watered daily for the first week. Once the plant is established, it may be able to go a few days before watering, depending on the weather and humidity in your area. Coleus has high water needs and generally prefers consistently damp soil.Coleus plants are best grown in full or part shade. Choose a location that will receive a maximum of 3 hours of full sun each day. Coleus is also suitable to grow indoors and in terrariums. Indoors and in warm climates, Coleus plants are short-lived perennials, meaning they usually live for between two and five years.
What is the best fertilizer for coleus?
I feed my coleus with a liquid fertilizer added to the irrigation water every three or four weeks. My favorite is fish hydroslate, but I also like kelp emulsion and compost tea. Be sure to apply the fertilizer to both the soil and the foliage, as coleus readily absorb nutrients through their leaves. Watering: Coleus plants do best with evenly moist soil. Water when the top 1-2” of soil feels dry to the touch. Provide more water during prolonged heat or dry spells. Overwatering can cause root rot.