An old Victorian parlor plant makes a 21st century comeback! Coleus is enjoying a new popularity with colorful hybrids and sun tolerant landscape varieties. Easy to grow and inexpensive,Coleus has ...

Understanding the Context

Coleus seedlings are abundant with color. Try this winter project to brighten your day and lift your spirits. Starting coleus indoors is an enjoyable project to alleviate the gloom of winter. Native to certain tropics, coleuses add a tropical feel to any home during the icy months of winter.

Key Insights

Coleus used as houseplants can be started any time. When I planted my coleus, they were small, low growing plants and cuttings. However, their growth has taken off and I see beautiful foliage topping thick, not so beautiful stems. How can I keep them compact? Coleus!

Final Thoughts

Their colorful foliage is the shade gardener's answer to the bright, sun-loving annuals filling sunny borders and patio containers. But coleus are no longer strictly for shady spots In my experience coleus will not thrive long term in temps lower than 60*. Can you take cuttings and keep them in a sunny window upstairs? They would take up less space. How many do you want to keep? Could you keep on isolated area warmer using some kind of enclosure with a bit of additional heat?

Even a couple of light bulbs can keep a small area warmer. And of course you'd need to keep them ... The coleus they call Alabama was first called Alabama Sunset, which is what they call it in the text, and now most people have shortened it to Alabama Sun, which also emphasizes that it is a sun coleus -- probably the most popular one. Their Burgundy Sun looks more like Burgundy Columns, both of which I have.