Painted Nettle (Coleus blumei) Indoor Care, Propagation, Common Problems & Remedies

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Painted Nettle (Coleus blumei) thrives in very bright light, average warmth and humidity, and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with regular feeding in the growing season.

Coleus is fast-growing and low-maintenance, making it perfect for beginners. In this guide, we will cover how to keep your Coleus happy indoors, including best propagation methods and solutions to common problems.

Coleus blumei or simply Coleus offers a multicolored display of foliage and a bewildering choice of hybrids making beautifully colored plants.

There is no basic color in Coleus; almost every conceivable mixture can be found. There are some attractive single-colored varieties but the usual choice is for the multi-colored varieties.

The leaves come in all manner of colors, forms and shapes. Most but not all have nettle-like leaves. There are also ruffled ones, frilly ones and wavy-edged ones.

Coleus like Caladiums are popular foliage plants for the home, on account of their brightly colored foliage.

Botanical name: Coleus blumei
Synonyms: Coleus scutellarioides, Plectranthus scutellarioides
Family: Lamiaceae
Common names: Painted Nettle, Coleus

Origin

Coleus blumei also called Coleus scutellarioides or Plectranthus scutellarioides is native to to southeast Asia through to Australia.

Flower

The inflorescence in Painted Nettle is borne on the end of a stem and is very variable in size being up to 1.6 inches long, with few or many flowers. Pinch off the flower spikes as soon as you sight them as they will detract from the beautiful foliage.

Size

Coleus can grow to the height of 2-5 feet and about the same width within a short time. Dwarf varieties are also available. Painted Nettle is one of the fast-growing, low-light plants for indoor growing.

Is Painted Nettle toxic?

Painted Nettle is non-toxic to humans but is mildly toxic to pets according to Plantaddicts.com. The plants contain a toxic substance which causes vomiting, diarrhea, depression and loss of appetite in pets if ingested. Keep these plants away from cats, dogs and other pets.

Where to Buy

If you would like to add Coleus to your collection, you may obtain them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to care for a Coleus Plant indoors

To care for a Coleus Plant indoors give it very bright light, warmth of 15-26⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.

Painted Nettle requires regular pruning to keep it neat, to reduce pest infestation, and to control and rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on the best growing conditions and how to provide them.

Water Requirements

How often should I water Coleus indoors?

Do not water Coleus on a schedule to avoid either overwatering or underwatering, as both are detrimental to the growth of the plant.

Water your Coleus liberally in spring and summer and allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to avoid yellowing of leaves and rotting of stems.

Decrease watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely to prevent crispy leaf edges and wilting, drooping leaves.

Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil to avoid getting soggy as it can lead in root-rot and death of the plant.

Only use soft water like rain water or filtered to avoid white spots on the leaves and browning of leaf edges. Ensure the water is at room temperature as consistently watering with cold water can lead to stunted growth and leaf loss.

Take care not to wet the foliage to minimize fungal diseases; apply the water at the base of the plant or water from the bottom.

Light Requirements

Where does Coleus grow best?

Coleus grows best in bright light with 4-6 hours of morning or late afternoon sunlight; position it infront of a large window with some morning sunlight falling on the leaves. Keep it away from hot midday sunshine to avoid scorching of the leaves.

Too little light for Painted Nettle will result in dull colors and leggy growth. If the natural lighting is not adequate, you may use grow lights to supplement it.

Every month, give the pot a 90⁰ turn to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth.

Outdoors, Coleus can grow under direct sunlight but it needs to be acclimated gradually; place it in a brighter spot every few days until when it can withstand the sunshine.

Temperature & Humidity

Coleus prefers a warmth of 15-26⁰C with a minimum 13⁰C. Keep it away from drafts as they can cause stunted growth, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

Painted Nettle will prosper in a humidity of 50-55%. Too dry air may result in brown leaf tips and edges. To heighten humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom. Do not mist the leaves and maintain proper air flow to discourage fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

What is the best fertilizer for Coleus?

Feed your Coleus with a balanced, water soluble fertilizer every 2 weeks in spring and summer. Avoid too much fertilizer as it can result in yellowing and leggy growth.

Do not feed in fall and winter as growth is reduced and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn and death of the plant.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Coleus should be a light, well-draining soil that retains moisture without becoming soggy. A blend of 50% potting soil, 30% peat moss or coconut coir (for moisture retention) and 20% perlite or sand (for aeration and drainage) is ideal for this plant.

Repotting

How to repot a Coleus Plant

1. Cut back the leggy foliage the beginning of the growing period (spring) to rejuvenate growth and also encourage a compact, bushy growth.


2. Select a pot one size larger than the current one. Ensure it has a drainage hole to prevent root-rot. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.


3. Fill the pot halfway with well-draining soil, moisten it slightly and make a hole in the center of the pot.


4. Place the plant in the previously made hole and firm the soil around it. Keep it at the same soil level as it was in the previous pot to avoid rotting.


5. Wet the soil thoroughly until water drips through the drainage hole.
6. Replace the plant to its original spot and carry on with normal care.

Pruning & Maintenance

How do you prune Coleus to make it bushy?

• Regularly remove dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as minimize pests and diseases.


• Pinch off the growing tips to encourage a bushy, compact growth.


• Cut back the leggy stems in spring and repot the plant to rejuvenate growth.


• Pinch off the flower spikes as soon as they appear as they will divert the plant's energy from developing the beautiful foliage.

Coleus Propagation

Painted Nettle (Coleus blumei) is propagated in the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer) from stem cuttings or from seeds.

1. How to propagate Painted Nettle from stem cuttings

The stem cuttings root easily and there is no need for a rooting hormone.

Best Time to Propagate: Spring or early summer.

Success Rate: Very high, especially with water propagation.

Steps to propagate Coleus from stem cuttings

1. Take stem cuttings of about 4-5 inches length from a healthy plant. Ensure each cutting has 2-3 leaf nodes as this is where new growth will emerge from.


2. Strip off the lower leaves, leaving only the top few to expose the stem.


3. Select a 6 or 8 inches pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid rotting.


4. Fill the pot with well-drained, potting mix and moisten the soil slightly.


5. Make a hole in the center of the pot and ensure it is wider that the base of the cutting.


6. Insert 2-3 inches of the lower cut end of the cuttings in the hole made above.


7. Place the set up in warm brightly-lit place away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching.


8. Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges and substantial growth is observed on the cuttings. Roots develop in 2-4 weeks.


9. Once well established, repot the new plants into a pot 1 size larger than the current one in well-draining soil.


10. Place the new plants in a warm spot under bright indirect light and begin routine care.

2. How to grow Painted Nettle from seeds

Best Time to Propagate: Early spring.

Success Rate: Moderate; requires patience.

Steps to grow Coleus from seeds

1. Fill a seed tray with light potting soil.


2. Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil; do not bury, as they need light to germinate.


3. Mist the soil lightly and cover with plastic wrap to create a greenhouse effect.


4. Place the set up in a warm place (about 21⁰C) away from direct sunlight.


5. Maintain the soil moist until the seeds germinate; seeds germinate in 7-14 days.


6. Once seedlings have 2-3 true leaves (about 8-10 inches high), transplant into idividual pots in well-drained soil after which you can begin routine care.

Coleus blumei Problems & Solutions

Painted Nettle common problems are wilting and drooping leaves, plant dying, curling and browning leaves, leggy growth, leaf drop, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.

Wilting and drooping leaves

What causes Coleus to wilt?

Wilting and drooping leaves on Coleus is caused by underwatering, hot direct sunshine, spider mites infestation or high temperatures.

How to fix it

Underwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches dry out. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Hot direct sunshine: Keep the plant away from hot midday sunshine or use a light curtain to filter the sunlight.

Spider mites: Regularly check underneath the leaves for webbing and carry out timely control measures. Keep the plant well-pruned and raise humidity to discourage the pests.

High temperatures: Keep the plant away from hot drafts emanating from hot stoves, hot air vents and other heat sources.

Plant dying

Why is my indoor Coleus dying?

Your Coleus is dying due to root-rot which is enhanced by soggy soil. The disease is characterized by yellowing and wilting of the leaves which is rapidly followed by browning and plant collapse.

How to revive a dying Coleus

1. Slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots.


2. Trim brown-black mushy roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as recommended by the manufacturer.


3. Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh well-draining soil.


4. Do not water the plant immediately and keep it dry for 5-7 days before you resume watering.


5. To prevent root-rot in the future, use a pot that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil to avoid getting soggy soil.


6. Minimize watering in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time; maintain the soil slightly moist.

Curling, browning leaves

Why are my Coleus leaves curling and turning brown?

Curling, browning leaves on your Coleus are due to dry air, underwatering or temperature stress.

How to fix it

Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to elevate humidity.

Underwatering: Do not let the soil dry out completely. Water when the top few inches of soil feel dry.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away or protect it from both hot and cold drafts to avoid extreme temperatures.

Leggy growth

Leggy growth on Coleus is due to too little light, lack of pruning, or aging.

How do I keep my Coleus from getting leggy?

Too little light: Position the plant in a brighter spot or instal a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home

Lack of pruning: Regularly pinch off the growing tips to keep the plant bushy and compact.

Aging: Cutback the stems in spring and repot the plant to encourage new growth.

Take stem cuttings from the leggy plants to propagate new plants.

Leaf drop

Why are the leaves of my Coleus dropping?

The leaves of your Coleus are dropping (falling) due to underwatering, low light or drafts.

How to fix it

Underwatering: Keep the soil consistently moist in spring and fall. Lessen watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist and do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Low light: Place the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright light or instal grow lights if the natural lighting is not adequate.

Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like windy doors, drafts windows, AC units, hot air vents, stoves, radiators among others to maintain a warmth of 15-26⁰C.

Pests

Common pests of Coleus are aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites and fungus gnats. Isolate the affected plant to avoid spread to the other houseplants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Ensure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Diseases

Coleus is prone to leaf spot disease and viral diseases. Isolate the affected plant to avoid spread to the other plants and treat it with a copper-based fungicide. Take care to follow the instructions on the label.

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