Did you know that you can easily save your favorite coleus plants by bringing them inside in the fall to grow as houseplants over the cold winter months? And then – use them again for planters, containers and bedding plants again next spring!
With all of their bright colors and patterns, coleus plants are perfect for adding big color and interest all over the landscape. Especially when you can grow them for free year after year simply by saving your plants each fall.
Normally, coleus is grown as an annual in most locations, mostly because these tender plants can’t handle the colder weather that arrives with fall and winter. In fact, the plant is so cold-sensitive, it’s often one of the first potted plants to get taken out with even the slightest hint of a light frost.
But here is some good news about coleus. As it turns out, it is technically a perennial plant. And that means as long as you bring it inside before a frost takes it out, it can live incredibly well indoors over winter. And luckily, there are two simple ways to do just that with ease!
2 Ways To Save Coleus Plants In The Fall
There are two quick and easy ways to save your coleus through the winter months. The first is to bring entire potted plants indoors to live as house plants. The second is to take cuttings from the plant and create smaller plants.
Saving Potted Coleus Plants in The Fall
If you have plenty of space and want to save entire plants, you can simply bring your potted coleus plants indoors in the fall. The biggest key to having success is to bring plants inside early. It’s extremely important to get them in before the first light frost. Unfortunately, all too often it’s likely too late once frost hits coleus plants.
To bring indoors, start by washing off the plant to remove any pests or bugs that may living on the leaves. Be sure to inspect the soil as well since insects tend to hide deep within a plant’s foliage and soil.
For best results, place coleus in a room that has a south facing window. This will give it the best chance of catching sunlight in the winter. To stay vibrant, coleus needs at least 4 to 6 hours of daily sunlight.
Giving Coleus The Light It Needs
If you don’t have enough window sunlight, you can supplement with inexpensive grow lights to help simulate daylight. Even bright LED or fluorescent lights provide enough light to keep coleus healthy and strong. Product Link: GooingTop LED Grow Light
Caring for a coleus plant indoors couldn’t be easier. Depending on your indoor temperature and humidity level, they usually only require watering a few times each week. The key is to keep an eye on the soil and water lightly as it begins to dry out.
As for fertilizing, giving your coleus a light dose of all-purpose, slow-release fertilizer every other month is all the power it needs. Apply it at about one-quarter of the recommended rate while indoors. Affiliate Product Link: True Organic All Purpose Plant Food Granular Fertilizer 4 lbs
If blooms happen to form on your plants while they are indoors, simply cut them off. The blooms of coleus are not showy, but they do take nutrients away from the plant – so it’s best to pinch or cut any blooms off as soon as you see them.
How To Save Coleus From Cuttings In The Fall
Another alternative to bringing the entire coleus plant indoors in the fall is to take cuttings. This is a great option if you are short on extra space to devote to a full coleus plant. Or – if you want to create several small plants to have on hand for planting outdoors next spring.
The process of taking cuttings is as simple as it sounds. All you need to do is cut off a stem that contains a few leaves and place it in either soil or water. Before long, it will start to sprout new roots, eventually turning into a full plant that is identical to your original one.
Cuttings are a great option if you want to add more plants to your collection without spending a dime. The more cuttings you take, the more brand new plants you create. It’s really that simple. You can then use these new plants to fill baskets, containers, and beds next spring – and all for free!
How To Root Cuttings – How To Save Coleus In The Fall
Coleus is thankfully one of the easiest plants to root. All you really need is a container, soil or water, and a healthy cutting.
When selecting your cutting, choose a piece of stem that is healthy and has a good set of leaves. Look for stems that have a couple of small buds above the last set of leaves. These buds are proof that the stem is capable of producing roots.
Use a pair of sharp pruners and cut the stem back to the base of the plant. Remove the first set of leaves that are closest to the cut side since this is the part that will get buried in soil or submerged under water. The leaves at the top can stay on the cutting.
Place the cutting in a container so that several inches of the stem is buried in either damp soil or under the water.
Soil Versus Water Rooting – How To Save Coleus In The Fall
Rooting coleus in water or soil are both great options. However, plants tend to root a bit faster when in water. Even better, there is no worry about watering or maintaining proper moisture levels. As long as you keep the water levels high in the glass, you’re good to go!
When using the water method, it’s important to use untreated water as opposed to tap water. Most municipal water or water that goes through softener systems is treated with chemicals and salts. These can all inhibit the growth of new roots.
Roots should start to appear on the stem after just a couple of weeks. At this time, you can remove the cutting from the water and plant it directly into soil. Use a container with drainage holes and good potting soil. And just like that, you have a brand new coleus plant!
If planting the cuttings directly into the soil, it usually takes a bit longer for new roots to form. In the meantime, keep the soil moist. Allowing the soil to dry out will also dry out the stem or any new roots that have formed.
Taking Care Of Coleus Indoors – How To Save Coleus In The Fall
Whether rooting in water or soil, treat any coleus like you would a traditional houseplant. Allow it to get plenty of sunlight and warmth and make sure to keep it watered.
Before you know it, you will be moving your coleus plants back outside once the weather warms up in the spring to enjoy a brand new season of growth. And if your plants are large enough, you can take even more cuttings to have all the coleus you need!
For more on growing plants indoors, check out our Houseplants Category Page on the site.
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