Are your coleus looking a little lackluster? Pruning them back will give them a chance to grow more vibrant and full.
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Pruning Basics
Pruning is an important part of keeping your coleus looking its best. It helps stimulate growth and can make the plant more full and vibrant. It’s important to prune at the right time of year and to know how much to prune. This section will cover the basics of pruning a coleus.
Pruning for more vibrant growth
Pruning your coleus is essential for more than just keeping it tidy. Regular pruning helps to promote new growth, which keeps your plant looking its best. It also helps to prevent leggy growth, as well as controlling the size and shape of your plant.
There are a few things to keep in mind when pruning your coleus:
– Coleus can be pruned at any time of year, but the best time to do so is in late spring or early summer.
– When pruning, always use sharp, clean shears. This will help to prevent infection and disease.
– Be sure to remove any dead or dying leaves or stems from your plant. These can harbor disease and pests.
-Always make clean, sharp cuts when pruning. This will help promote new growth and prevent infection.
When pruning for more vibrant growth, you will want to remove any dead or dying leaves or stems as well as any unwanted new growth. You can also trim back the tips of the longest stems to encourage branching. Aim for about one-third of the overall length of the stem when trimming back.
The best time to prune your coleus
Coleus can tolerate heavy pruning and will still produce plenty of new growth. You can prune at any time of year, but for the cleanest cut and the most compact growth, it’s best to wait until after the plant has flowered. If you must prune during the growing season, do it in the morning so the plant has all day to recover.
The tools you’ll need
Pruning shears
A good pair of pruning shears is a must for any gardener. Bypass pruners are the best type to use on coleus because they make clean cuts that won’t damage the plant. Look for a pair that’s comfortable to hold and that has blades that are sharp and aligned.
Loppers
Loppers are like giant pruning shears and can be used for cutting thicker branches. They’re not necessary for most coleus pruning, but can be helpful if you need to remove a large branch.
Pruning saw
A pruning saw is useful for cutting through thick branches that loppers can’t handle. It can also be helpful for making precision cuts, such as when you’re removing a branch that’s growing in the wrong direction.
How to Prune a Coleus
Pruning a coleus is a simple way to keep your plant healthy and vibrant. Coleus are generally low-maintenance plants, but they can benefit from occasional pruning. Pruning allows you to remove dead or damaged leaves, as well as shape the plant to encourage more growth.
Step 1: Prep your plant
Pruning a coleus is a great way to encourageBushier, more compact growth and vibrant colors. Follow these steps to prune yourcoleus properly.
1. Prep your plant: Cut off any dead or dying leaves, and lightly sweep away any dirt or debris from the plant.
2. Select the stems you want to prune: Look for stems that are significantly longer than the others, or that are growing out of control.
3. Cut the selected stems: Use sharp pruning shears to make a clean cut at an angle just above a node (the point where leaves attach to the stem). Make sure not to cut too close to the node, or else you risk damaging the plant.
4. Dispose of the cuttings: Once you’ve trimmed all of the desired stems, dispose of the cuttings in garbage bag or compost bin.
5. Enjoy your newly shaped plant: With routine pruning, you can keep your coleus looking neat and tidy all season long!
Step 2: Cut away the dead or dying leaves
To keep your coleus looking its best and to encourage new growth, it’s important to prune away any dead or dying leaves. Using sharp, clean shears, cut the leaves off at the base of the plant. Be sure to disinfect your shears before and after use to prevent the spread of disease.
Step 3: Cut back the leggy stems
If your plant is leggy, with long stems and sparse leaves, it means it’s not getting enough light. The best way to fix this is to cut the leggy stems back to about 6 inches (15 cm), which will encourage the plant to produce more leaves.
Step 4: Pinch back the tips of the stems
Pinch back the tips of the stems to encourage bushier growth. Use your fingers to pinch off the growing tip of each stem. This will cause the plant to produce more side branches and become bushier. Pinching back coleus also helps to prevent the plant from getting too leggy.
After You Prune
Pruning a coleus is easy and only requires a few steps to get vibrant growth. You will need to start with a clean, sharp pair of pruning shears. You will also need to make sure that you are pruning at the right time of year, which is typically in the spring.
Water your coleus
Water your coleus plant immediately after pruning. This will help reduce the chances of shock to the plant. Coleus need moist, but not soggy, soil to thrive. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
Fertilize your coleus
After you prune your coleus, give it a boost by fertilizing it with a high quality fertilizer. Coleus are heavy feeders and will benefit from being fertilized every two weeks. If you are using a liquid fertilizer, be sure to dilute it according to the package instructions before applying it to your plant.
Place your coleus in a sunny spot
Coleus is a shade-loving plant that can tolerate some sun. However, if you want your plant to be especially vibrant, place it in a sunny spot. The more sun it gets, the brighter its leaves will be. Coleus can also grows well in artificial light, so if you don’t have a lot of natural light in your home, don’t worry! Just place it near a window or location where it will get some light each day.