Folia Mosaic Coleus on a white background.
Folia Mosaic Coleus growing in the gardens at Baker Creek.
Folia Mosaic Coleus leaves on light blue background.
A Folia Mosaic Coleus growing in a pot on the porch of the Baker Creek Seed Store.
Folia Mosaic Coleus on a white background.
Folia Mosaic Coleus growing in the gardens at Baker Creek.
Folia Mosaic Coleus leaves on light blue background.
A Folia Mosaic Coleus growing in a pot on the porch of the Baker Creek Seed Store.

Coleus Seeds,
Folia Mosaic

51 ReviewSKU: #FL659Min. seed count: 50
Price
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Description

These tidy foliage plants have bold and bright marbling in iguana green and burgundy. Excellent for containers, window boxes, beds, and borders.

Growing Tips: Start seeds indoors in early spring, covering lightly and keeping very warm. Prefers filtered shade in hot-summer area, full sun elsewhere. Pinch to encourage branching.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Coleus scutellarioides
Life Cycle
Perennial
Sun Requirement
Partial to full sun
Days to Germinate
10–20
Days to Maturity
70–98
Planting Depth
⅛ in.
Plant Spacing
6–8 in.
Ideal Temperature
70–95°F
Frost Hardy
No

When to Grow

Start Folia Mosaic indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost date, keeping the seed moist and warm until seedlings appear in 10-20 days. Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. You can instead direct sow after frost, once the soil is quite warm. Allow 70-98 days to maturity.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Seeds germinate in 7-14 days.
  • Surface sow seeds and lightly cover with a thin layer of fine potting soil.
  • A humidity dome will help to keep seeds moist and warm until they germinate (dome is not necessary, just helpful).
  • Direct sow after all danger of frost has passed and soil is quite warm, or start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost and transplant out.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 70-78 F.

How to Grow

  • Plants prefer shade or part sun and rich, well-drained soil with plenty of moisture.
  • Space plants 12-18 inches apart.
  • Keep the small, inconspicuous flower spikes pinched back (like basil) to encourage healthy bushy foliar growth.
  • Plants easily propagate from cuttings.
  • Before first frost, take cuttings and root for indoor winter house plants. These super cold-sensitive plants will be killed even by light frost.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

A number of soft-bodied insects may attack your coleus, from mealybugs to aphids and spider mites. Be sure to treat these infected plants regularly and thoroughly with organic approved horticulture soaps.

How to Save Seeds

Seed saving is possible with coleus, but be aware that there will always be a bit of genetic variation in plants grown from seed.

  • Allow flower spikes to mature on plant before harvesting seeds.
  • Store in a cool, dark, dry place.
  • It is also possible (and very easy) to propagate coleus from cutting; simply snip and root a few cuttings in late summer and keep indoors overwinter as a house plant. Propagate cuttings from this mother plant in spring and transplant rooted cuttings outdoors after frost.

FAQ

Do I need a humidity dome to start Folia Mosaic?

A dome is not necessary, just helpful. It keeps seeds moist and warm until they germinate, and ideal germination temperature is 70-78°F.

Can I sow Folia Mosaic straight into the garden?

Yes, but only after all danger of frost has passed and the soil is quite warm. Otherwise start indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost and transplant out.

Is Folia Mosaic suited to window boxes?

Yes. These tidy foliage plants are excellent for containers and window boxes as well as beds and borders. Space them 6-8 inches apart.
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