Dear Seasoned Spade,
My New Year’s resolution was to have a show-stopping garden this year, and I’ve fallen head over trowel for coleus. I hear they’re easy to grow from seed, but I’m completely lost on when to start them indoors. I’d like my garden to be vibrant and lush before the Fourth of July barbecue. Help me out!
— Colorfully Confused in Columbus, OH
Timing Is Everything (Even for Coleus)
Ah, coleus—the colorful kaleidoscope of the plant world. It’s the kind of plant that brings joy to even the most half-hearted gardener because it thrives on a little neglect (we love that for us). But getting that vibrant, lush look in time for your Independence Day bash means starting your seeds at just the right time. Miss that window, and your garden might look more like a work-in-progress than a summer showpiece.
So here’s the dirt: coleus is a warm-weather plant that can’t stand frost—like your friend who breaks out the fleece jacket at 65 degrees. To get a jump start on the season, you’ll want to sow those seeds indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before your last expected frost date. In Columbus, that usually lands in mid-to-late May, so you should aim to start your seeds indoors in early to mid-March.
How to Grow a Coleus Carnival (No Clowns Required)
First things first: grab yourself a seed tray and some seed-starting mix (the good stuff—not that heavy, dense garden soil). Coleus seeds are like poppy seeds—tiny and easily lost to a sneeze, so handle them with care.
- Sow Lightly: Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil and press them gently without covering. These little divas need light to germinate.
- Water Wisely: Mist the soil lightly. A heavy-handed soak will send the seeds straight to Neverland.
- Provide a Spa Experience: Cover the tray with plastic wrap or a humidity dome to keep things toasty. Aim for a cozy 70-75 degrees.
- Be Patient: In about 7-14 days, you’ll start seeing tiny sprouts if all goes well.
- Let There Be Light: Once those green babies emerge, get them under a grow light for 12-16 hours a day. No grow light? A sunny window will do, but it’s not as reliable (kind of like relying on your teenager to take out the trash).
- Pot Up: When the seedlings have a couple of sets of true leaves, it’s time to transplant them into their own little pots.
- Harden Off: Before moving them outdoors, introduce your coleus to the great outdoors gradually over a week. Think of it like spring break for plants—you don’t want to shock their system.
Keep Calm and Coleus On
Look, not every coleus seed is going to sprout. And some might look like they partied too hard when they finally make it to your garden bed. That’s okay—gardening is all about the wins and the “well, that didn’t work.” The beauty of coleus is that once it takes off, it’s like a fireworks show for your garden—bold, colorful, and impossible to ignore.
So start those seeds in March, baby them indoors, and by the Fourth of July, your garden will be the talk of the block. Just make sure to invite me to the barbecue.
Seasonedly yours,
The Seasoned Spade
