Although you probably consider of bloom for garden color , some plants have leave of absence as brightly colored as petals . The flame nettle plant(Solenostemon scutellarioides ) is one instance that produces heavy , showy leaves marked by every color except blue . A tropical native , flame nettle is unremarkably grow as an one-year , only produce outdoors year - stave in U.S. Department of Agriculture flora hardiness zones 10 and 11 . But you need n’t say good - bye to a flame nettle at summertime ’s oddment ; instead , get it as a houseplant until the following outflow or take some cutting to make new plants .
Potting Coleus
Pot a matured , outside - grow coleus to overwinter as a houseplant in early fall , before a cold snap arrives and damages the rime - sensitive plant . irrigate the flora well the daytime before the moveto lessen organ transplant shock and avail keep stain around to the root . Dig up the plant with a shovel or spade , making a circular excision into the soil under the plant ’s canopy . lightly tumble the plant life to one side , and slew the shovel under the plant to lift it .
Pot the flame nettle in a container that hasat least one drainage holeand is a bit larger than its origin bollock , using potting soil to occupy any empty place in the pot . Tamp the dirt well and flood the toilet with water to get free of any air around the rootage .
Starting New Plants
you could also embark on new flame nettle plants from a mature industrial plant by taking fore cuttings and rooting them . Because the works naturally slow its growth in declivity , it ’s undecomposed totake cuttings in mid - to - late summer , while weather is still tender and the plant is maturate vigorously . Choose healthy stems without peak or blossom bud , and cut piece about 5 inches longsighted with a sharp tongue or shear , cleaning the blades between each cut to prevent bedcover of plant disease . Remove any leaf from the bottom one - third of the press clipping .
flame nettle press cutting rootle apace in water , normally taking about one or two workweek , or you could root them in damp George Sand . Once rooted , plant the press cutting in containers filled with moist potting grime , but do this when roots are about 1/2 column inch long because longsighted root run to tangle and can be damage easily .
Growing Indoors
Although outdoor - produce coleus plants normally prefer shade , they necessitate extra light indoors to keep growing . A sunny , curtainless window that face west or south works well provide there ’s no ceiling overhang or other structure to block light and the area stay above 60 academic degree Fahrenheit throughout the winter . If a sunny spot is n’t available , raise the plants about 6 to 12 inch away from a fluorescent lamp with two fluorescent bulbs ; use one grow light and one nerveless - white bulb to give the plant life full spectrum light .
Water the works on a regular basis , butallow the top of the soil to dry slightly between wateringsto discourage fungal growth , and pinch the mature tips of stems to further branching and a bushy shape .
Moving in Spring
When spring returns and night temperatures remain above 50 degree Fahrenheit , move potted coleus plants back outdoors , but do this bit by bit . Let the plant acclimate for a week or twoby keep them in a shaded , sheltered spot such as under a ceiling or overhang , increase their exposure to lightness by an hour or two each day . Choose awell - drained field with salutary air circulationwhen you ’re ready to plant the coleus in the ground .
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