Coleus Seeds,
Colocha Chocolate Green

Start Colocha Chocolate Green indoors 8-10 weeks before your region's last frost date, then transplant into beds or containers once all danger of frost has passed and the soil is quite warm. Gardeners can instead direct sow after frost, under those same warm conditions. Figure 63-84 days from sowing to maturity.

• 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.

• 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.

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.