How to Propagate Coleus from Cuttings? A Detailed Guide to the Method

Preparing the Cuttings

Duringsummer or early autumnwhen growth is vigorous, take cuttings from the coleus plant. Cut a section about 10 to 15 cm long from the tip of the plant, making sure to cut just below a leaf node - the place where the leaf meets the stem. After placing the cutting in a short, clear glass container (such as a jelly jar or juice glass), add 3 or 5 cm of warm water to the container. Make sure the lowest cut leaf node must be covered by water.

Rooting Period

Place the glass on a windowsill that receives bright light but no direct sunlight, keeping the temperature between 21 and 26°C. Add water as needed so that it covers the lower leaf nodes. Withinone to two weeks, the cuttings should begin to send out roots from these nodes. Once the roots are 1 to 3 cm long, the sections can be planted in various potting soils. Use pots with drainage holes.

Growing Period

When the new plants begin to grow,graduallymove them to a brighter windowsill, such as an east- or west-facing windowsill, where they will receive sunlight for most of the day but will not be scorched by the strong midday sun. Keep the soil moist and fertilize every two weeks until late autumn, using half-strength general-purpose plant fertilizer.

Stop fertilizing in winter. When the plant grows to more than 20 cm, pinch off the tips to encourage new shoots.

Transplanting the Cuttings

After the winter,in early summertransplant the new plants into the ground. First place the pots in a shaded spot for three to four hours, then bring them back indoors. Gradually increase their time outdoors, gradually moving them to a partially shaded location. After about a week of hardening off, you can plant the coleus plants in the ground, spacing them 15 to 30 cm apart.

If possible, try to plant in rich, well-drained soil with a pH close to 7.0.