over-wintering coleus
what is the best way to keep my coleus plants alive indoors during the winter? Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks
Hi Shar,
You don't say if you have been growing them indoors or outdoors and want to bring them indoors. I'm going to guess you have been growing them outdoors and want to bring them in.
You can bring the entire pot indoors and pinch it back. Just be sure you aren't bringing any critters into the house by rinsing it well with water. Coleus are easy to take cuttings from and root. Once rooted you can keep it in a pot over the winter in the house. Do keep them pinched so they stay full. Cuttings can be taken again in January and the plants planted out doors after all danger of frost has past.
https://muextension.missouri.edu/xplor/agguides/hort/g06560.htm
https://www.bachmans.com/tipsheets/Annuals/coleus.cfm
https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/extras/51coleusstandard.php
Newt
You don't say if you have been growing them indoors or outdoors and want to bring them indoors. I'm going to guess you have been growing them outdoors and want to bring them in.
You can bring the entire pot indoors and pinch it back. Just be sure you aren't bringing any critters into the house by rinsing it well with water. Coleus are easy to take cuttings from and root. Once rooted you can keep it in a pot over the winter in the house. Do keep them pinched so they stay full. Cuttings can be taken again in January and the plants planted out doors after all danger of frost has past.
https://muextension.missouri.edu/xplor/agguides/hort/g06560.htm
https://www.bachmans.com/tipsheets/Annuals/coleus.cfm
https://www.gardengatemagazine.com/extras/51coleusstandard.php
Newt
Hi Newt,
I have been growing them outside. This is the first time I have grown coleus in containers and I was so happy and impressed with how full and beautifully they grow and had to save them during the winter. I have done many successful cuttings and as you said, brought the whole pots in after pinching back. They seem to be doing well except for this curling of the leaves. Even though that is happening, they are still growing, producing new leaves. I have moved the grow lights further away and leave them on for only 8 hours a day now so hopefully that will help. In hindsight, I could have left them outdoors longer but being new to gardening, I was afraid I would lose them as soon as the nights got cooler and so brought them in. Thanks for the sites. I will check them out.
Shar
I have been growing them outside. This is the first time I have grown coleus in containers and I was so happy and impressed with how full and beautifully they grow and had to save them during the winter. I have done many successful cuttings and as you said, brought the whole pots in after pinching back. They seem to be doing well except for this curling of the leaves. Even though that is happening, they are still growing, producing new leaves. I have moved the grow lights further away and leave them on for only 8 hours a day now so hopefully that will help. In hindsight, I could have left them outdoors longer but being new to gardening, I was afraid I would lose them as soon as the nights got cooler and so brought them in. Thanks for the sites. I will check them out.
Shar
Shar, you are so very welcome! For the plants that you brought in and cut back, check to see if they are rootbound and need repotting. Since you cut them back you could reduce the root system and put them back in the same pots.
Leaving them outdoors longer might not have been the good thing to do. Plants can be shocked by climate change that isn't gradual. If you bring them indoors after you have turned on the heat it could damage them. I usually recommend bringing plants indoors before the heat is turned on so the climate change is more gradual.
Newt
Leaving them outdoors longer might not have been the good thing to do. Plants can be shocked by climate change that isn't gradual. If you bring them indoors after you have turned on the heat it could damage them. I usually recommend bringing plants indoors before the heat is turned on so the climate change is more gradual.
Newt