The largest - more than two feet in height - and most magnificent coleus plants I have ever seen were propagated by a friend. Last year I pinched a bunch of coleus twigs in fall from her garden before colder temperatures set in. I explained in detail how to create her own coleus plants for next spring:
"Take away the large leaves, place the twigs in a glass of water and set it on a window sill, renew the water twice a week. Then after eight weeks when roots are built, plant them in pots and set them on a sunny window. As soon as the last frost has gone (usually in late May) plant the coleus in garden beds or planters."
She propagated with enormous success. I am totally impressed by her attractive coleus plants!
How to Propagate With Cuttings
Are you tired of buying expensive plants in spring, or do you not even find the same types that you have already in your garden? Why not propagate with cuttings? Contrary to propagating with seeds, you can be sure that your new plants look exactly like their parent plants.
Soft-cuttings, such as coleus should build their roots in water. Any cuttings of roses, hydrangeas, or other bushes and shrubs can be dipped in rooting hormones (on their cut ends) and placed in potting mix. Remove most leaves, so that only the small ones on top of the twig are left. Time your softwood propagation for late spring or early summer, when new stems first start to harden. This mostly happens between May and mid-July.
Water-Rooting
- If you are water-rooting your cuttings, change the water twice a week to keep it fresh.
- Heating and air conditioning can create dry conditions indoors, avoid setting your plant close to outlets. You also need to make sure your plant will get lots of natural light after they take root - but not the sun! The best location for them is to place in the shade or dabbled shade.
- Don't leave your cuttings too long after they have rooted. Once the roots grow to the bottom of your water jar, it's time to transplant your cutting to a pot, filled with planting soil.
Later, when the coleus' is established, the best leaf color is achieved with morning sun and some degree of afternoon shade. Some gardeners leave the tiny flowers, but it's best to pinch them off to direct more energy into stem and foliage growth. Coleus left to flower may lose vigor as the plant puts energy into seed production.
Soil-Rooting
- Use a soilless medium for plant cuttings, such as coir, sphagnum moss, Oasis rooting cubes, or Rockwool, as the microbes in organic soils can cause your plant cuttings to rot before they grow roots.
- Place a clear plastic hood with small wholes over the planting pot, so that the new plants have always enough moisture. I always remove the bottom of a large soda bottle, place it over the planting pot, and have the perfect moist environment for your plant(s).
- Cut the stem into 4- to 6-inch lengths with a knife or pruners, each piece right above the node where leaves attach to the stem.
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