Looking for a plant that packs a strong punch of color all season long? Coleus (
Solenostemon scutellarioides) is an excellent annual that holds its color throughout the summer while nearby flowers fade in and out. With literally hundreds of cultivars to choose from, coleus comes in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes.
Some cultivars only reach a height of six inches, while others grow up to three feet tall. Perhaps the best part is the myriad of dramatic color combinations you can find all on a single plant--in variations of red, pink, cream, green, purplish-black and more. Plant coleus in large drifts or small groupings to highlight other plants or stand on its own merits.
Coleus does best in full sun to partial shade, depending on the selection, and moist, well-draining soil. On some, the colors are even more vivid in partial shade. Coleus is a tender annual, which means it's the first to go with frost appears. However, bring indoors and protect them all winter long either by digging and planting in a container or taking stem cuttings.
The stem cutting process is an easy way to get a new plant started. Simply take a cutting about four to six inches long, remove the bottom leaves and place the leafless portion of the stem in a lightweight, soilless mixture. Keep the potted cutting indoors in a sunny window and mist as needed. Within a week or two, the cutting will develop roots and by next spring, you'll be able to take it outdoors and enjoy your coleus once again.
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