How to Overwinter Coleus: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Introduction
Coleus is a beautiful tropical plant that adds vibrant color to containers and gardens. But what happens when the cold weather comes? Don’t despair! With the right care, you can overwinter your coleus plants and enjoy them again next spring. In this guide, we’ll cover two effective methods for overwintering coleus: bringing containers indoors and taking cuttings.
Bringing Containers Indoors
This method is best suited for small coleus plants that you can easily move indoors.
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Prepare the plant: Carefully remove the plant from its pot and rinse the roots to remove any bugs or eggs. Repot it in a clean container with fresh, high-quality potting soil.
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Choose a suitable location: Place the coleus in a north-facing window where it will receive indirect light. Make sure the spot is warm and humid. You can use a humidity tray filled with water to increase moisture levels.
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Water and fertilize: Water the coleus regularly, but allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Fertilize the plant monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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Monitor for pests and diseases: Keep an eye out for pests and diseases, and treat them promptly if necessary.
Taking Cuttings
This method is ideal for larger coleus plants or if you want to propagate new plants.
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Take cuttings: Before the first frost, take cuttings from your favorite coleus plants. Cuttings should be about 4-6 inches long and have several leaves.
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Root the cuttings: Place the cuttings in a glass of water or in a rooting medium such as perlite or vermiculite. Keep the cuttings in a warm, humid environment until roots develop. You can use a rooting hormone to speed up the process.
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Pot up the cuttings: Once the cuttings have developed roots, pot them up in individual containers with fresh potting soil. Place them in a sunny spot and water them regularly.
Getting Coleus Ready for Spring
Whether you overwintered your coleus as a whole plant or from cuttings, it’s important to acclimatize them to the outdoors before replanting.
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Gradually introduce outdoor conditions: Take the plants outside on warmer spring days for a few hours at first, gradually increasing the time spent outdoors each day.
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Harden off the plants: After a couple of weeks, the plants will be ready to go outside full time. If you overwintered a whole plant, you can now cut it back slightly to remove any faded or browned leaves.
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Pinch back the stems: Pinch back the stems of both whole plants and cuttings regularly to encourage fuller growth and prevent leggy growth.
Troubleshooting
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Leggy growth: If your coleus plants become leggy, it means they are not getting enough light. Move them to a sunnier spot and pinch back the stems to encourage bushier growth.
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Pests and diseases: Coleus plants are generally resistant to pests and diseases, but they can be susceptible to aphids, mealybugs, and fungal infections. Treat any infestations promptly with appropriate pesticides or fungicides.
Conclusion
Overwintering coleus is a rewarding experience that allows you to enjoy these beautiful plants year after year. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully overwinter your coleus plants and add a splash of color to your garden next spring.
