What is a Kong coleus?
Kong Coleus is a shade-loving annual with an upright, mounding growth habit. It requires very little maintenance. The interesting texture of its foliage helps it stand out amongst other plants in the landscape. Kong Coleus will reach 18 to 20 inches tall and 15 to 18 inches wide at maturity. Planting and Growing King Kong Coleus will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 30 inches apart.
What are the benefits of growing coleus?
Like many other indoor plants, coleus plants also remove toxins from the air, improving indoor air quality and creating a healthier living environment for you and your family. As a whole, if you like adding greenery to your home, you must expand your collection with a coleus. Uses. It is said that this plant can repel snakes, mosquitoes, flies and most garden pests as a result of its fragrant nature. This makes Coleus neochilus an ideal companion plant for vegetable gardens. Furthermore, reports point out that these plants can be used efficaciously as an air purifier.Attracts pollinators: Although it is primarily grown for its foliage, its small, tubular flowers can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Great for mixed plantings: Coleus can be combined with other plants in containers or garden beds, providing a striking contrast to flowering plants or green foliage.Place the pots in a sunny window, water regularly and pinch back the growing tips throughout winter to promote a fuller shape. In spring, gradually introduce the plants to outdoor conditions. Coleus is very frost-sensitive, so bring the plants inside if cold nights threaten.Like many other indoor plants, coleus plants also remove toxins from the air, improving indoor air quality and creating a healthier living environment for you and your family.
What is the lifespan of a coleus plant?
Coleus scutellarioides is an upright annual or short-lived perennial plant which can live for about three or four years. There are only a few rules for Coleus to flourish: keep them out of the scorching sun by planting them in the shade or just giving them morning sun. Plant them in free draining soil for best results, and water and deadhead regularly.Care: Water seedlings regularly until established. When grown in containers coleus needs to be fertilized and watered regularly. During the heat of summer, they will need to be watered a few times a week. Apply a liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks or use a time-release fertilizer at planting time.Coleus is typically grown as an annual and can be started indoors from seeds or cuttings about 8 to 10 weeks before the last expected frost date.Do coleus come back? Hardy in USDA zones 10-11, coleus is a tender perennial but is most often grown as an annual. Since coleus are sensitive to cooler temperatures, they will only come back the following year in the warmest regions.
Can you grow Kong coleus indoors?
Light—The biggest problem most indoor gardeners have is a lack of light, but this is not a problem for coleus. Place your plant in an eastern or northern window and it will usually be fine. Direct exposure to the sun for most of the day can cause the leaves to fade and lose color, or they can even be scorched. Growing Coleus in Water Did you know coleus cutting will readily root right in plant water, no rooting hormone needed!Coleus is very frost-sensitive, so bring the plants inside if cold nights threaten. By mid-May, the plants should be ready for your garden or containers.Coleus is a very easy plant to grow and maintain, and they generally require very little maintenance. However, with some minor cutting back, you can encourage your Coleus to push out new growth.And while these plants won’t withstand a freeze, taking the right steps allows them to survive through the winter. Moving potted plants indoors or taking stem cuttings helps you maintain a healthy coleus plant until spring arrives.
What are the disadvantages of coleus?
Heart disease: Forskolin, a chemical found in coleus, might lower blood pressure. There is some concern that coleus might interfere with treatment for heart or blood vessel diseases and could make these conditions worse. Use coleus with caution if you have a heart problem. Larger doses might cause side effects including diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. When inhaled: Coleus is possibly safe when used as a single dose of forskolin powder. Side effects might include throat irritation, cough, tremor, and restlessness.
Do coleus grow well from seed?
As a member of the mint family, coleus is easy to grow from seed and can reach heights up to 3 feet. Coleus needs light to germinate; gently press seeds into the soil or growing medium, and do not cover with more soil. Keep seeds moist until they start sprouting, which will take 10 to 14 days. A humidity dome helps to keep the moisture in until the seeds sprout.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.Coleus do well in pots and planters, as long as they are planted in free-draining potting soil, fertilized regularly and given the right amount of sun.Coleus seeds do not require any treatment (eg soaking, stratification) before sowing. Coleus seeds can be sown directly into the garden OR seedlings can be raised in trays or other containers and transplanted to the garden once established.Coleus seeds germinate in soil temperatures 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and take seven to 14 days to sprout.