How to Grow Coleus (Solenostemon) from Colorful Leaves: A Simple Guide for Beginners

Looking to add a splash of color to your home or garden? The Solenostemon, better known as coleus, is a vibrant and easy-to-grow plant loved for its bold, multicolored foliage. Whether you’re a gardening novice or a plant enthusiast looking for a low-maintenance beauty, coleus is a fantastic choice.

Even better? You can grow it at home starting from just a few colorful leaf cuttings. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you propagate coleus successfully and enjoy a lively display of color in your space.

What Makes Coleus So Special?

Coleus plants come in a wide variety of leaf shapes and colors—from deep burgundy and lime green to pink, orange, and even purple. The vivid patterns on their leaves make them perfect for adding interest to windowsills, patios, balconies, and garden beds.

Beyond aesthetics, coleus is prized for its:

Fast growth

Easy propagation

Versatility (indoor or outdoor)

Ability to thrive in partial shade

Now, let’s walk through how to grow coleus from cuttings.

Step 1: Select Healthy, Colorful Leaves

Start with a mature coleus plant that’s bursting with life and color. Look for:

Leaves that are vibrant and undamaged

Stems that are sturdy and upright

A mix of colors or patterns you’d love to replicate

Choosing strong, healthy cuttings is key to successful propagation.

Step 2: Take Cuttings from the Plant

Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to snip off sections of the plant. Each cutting should be around 4–6 inches long and must include at least one leaf node (the small bump where leaves or roots grow from the stem).

Once you’ve taken your cuttings:

Remove the leaves on the lower part of the stem (leave a few at the top)

Avoid cutting into soft or rotting sections

Tip: Take more cuttings than you think you’ll need, just in case a few don’t take root.

Step 3: (Optional) Use Rooting Hormone

To encourage faster root growth, dip the cut ends of your cuttings in rooting hormone powder. While coleus can root just fine without it, this step can increase your success rate and speed up the process.

You can find rooting hormone at most garden centers or online.

Step 4: Plant the Cuttings

Fill small pots or seedling trays with well-draining potting soil. Make a small hole in the soil with a pencil or stick and insert the cutting just deep enough to bury the leaf node.

Gently press the soil around the base to secure it.

Water the soil thoroughly after planting. The soil should be moist but not soggy—coleus doesn’t like wet feet.

Step 5: Provide Ideal Growing Conditions

Place your pots in a bright, warm location with indirect sunlight. Direct sun may scorch the delicate leaves, especially in the early stages.

Keep these tips in mind:

Maintain consistent warmth (18–24°C or 65–75°F)

Mist the leaves occasionally to raise humidity

Keep the soil slightly moist, but avoid overwatering

Coleus loves humidity and warmth, so a sunny windowsill or heated propagator works well indoors.

Step 6: Monitor Root Development

In about 2–3 weeks, your cuttings should begin developing roots. You can check by gently tugging on the stem—if it resists, roots have formed.

Once the roots are well-established, the plant will start putting out new leaves and growth.

Step 7: Transplant into Larger Pots or the Garden

Once your cuttings have a healthy root system, you can transfer them to:

Larger indoor pots

Outdoor containers

A garden bed (if temperatures are warm enough)

Choose a spot with indirect light or light shade, especially during the hottest parts of the day.

Tip: Always harden off young plants before moving them outdoors by gradually exposing them to sunlight over a few days.

Step 8: Care and Maintenance

To keep your coleus healthy and bushy:

Water regularly, especially during hot weather, but avoid waterlogging

Fertilize with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2–3 weeks during the growing season

Pinch back the tips to encourage fuller growth and prevent the plant from getting leggy

Remove flower spikes if they appear—this keeps the energy focused on foliage production

Step 9: Overwintering (Optional)

If you live in a cooler climate, coleus won’t survive the frost outdoors. Before temperatures drop:

Bring your plants indoors

Place them near a sunny window

Cut back slightly to manage size and promote bushiness

With a little care, your coleus can thrive indoors all winter and be replanted outside come spring.

Step 10: Enjoy the Color Show!

Once established, your coleus will reward you with a constant display of rich, eye-catching foliage. Mix and match different leaf patterns and colors for stunning container arrangements or garden borders.

Whether on a sunny patio or a kitchen windowsill, coleus brings life, energy, and artistry to your home.