Folia Velvet Coleus leaves on a white background.
A woman in a checkered skirt is holding a potted Folia Velvet Coleus plant in a pot.
A potted Folia Velvet Coleus plant on a high key background.
Backlit Folia Velvet Coleus growing in the garden at Baker Creek.
A potted Folia Velvet Coleus plant resting in a metal plant hanger in front of the Seed Store at Baker Creek.
Folia Velvet Coleus leaves on a white background.
A woman in a checkered skirt is holding a potted Folia Velvet Coleus plant in a pot.
A potted Folia Velvet Coleus plant on a high key background.
Backlit Folia Velvet Coleus growing in the garden at Baker Creek.
A potted Folia Velvet Coleus plant resting in a metal plant hanger in front of the Seed Store at Baker Creek.

Coleus Seeds,
Folia Velvet

SKU: #FL660Min. seed count: 50
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Description

Roll out the red carpet with this lush crimson beauty! A splash of bold red and burgundy make this variety extra dramatic. These colorful and compact foliage plants are 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 Velvet indoors 8-10 weeks before your last spring frost and transplant out after all danger of frost has passed, or direct sow once frost is past and the soil is quite warm. These super cold-sensitive plants will be killed even by light frost. Allow 70-98 days to maturity, and before first frost you can take cuttings and root them for indoor winter house plants.

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

Can Folia Velvet take any frost?

No. These super cold-sensitive plants will be killed even by light frost, so hold transplants until all danger of frost has passed.

Can I propagate Folia Velvet from cuttings?

Yes, and it is very easy. Snip and root a few cuttings in late summer and keep them indoors over winter as a house plant, then propagate cuttings from that mother plant in spring and transplant the rooted cuttings outdoors after frost.

What soil and spacing does Folia Velvet want?

Rich, well-drained soil with plenty of moisture, with plants set 6-8 inches apart. Days to maturity are 70-98.
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