I think that we can all agree on one thing, coleus outshines every other shade-loving plant! If you have them in your garden, then you know what I’m talking about.
Whether you’re growing them in containers outside or as a houseplant, they will make every corner beautiful with their appearance! Their lovely leaves, which come in different colors such as bronze, copper, yellow, and red, are perfect for decorating your house or garden in the fall!
I also have a few coleus plants placed in containers, one in my home and the rest in the yard. Since I’ve been growing them for years, I’ve got to say that these plants are pretty easy to grow, but they can be tricky when it comes to pruning!
Many folks don’t actually cut back their coleus plants. Why? It’s because they want to keep the flowers to get free seeds from them! But if you decide to save coleus flowers and not cut them back, it will result in fewer leaves over time.
What should you do now? First, let’s see the best time to prune a coleus and the perfect way to do it! Then, I’ll show those who want to keep their flowers some tricks on how to do it in an easier way.
Pruning Your Coleus Flowers In The Spring Or Summer Will Get You The Best Results
Now, for those of you who want to keep the stunning foliage of your coleus, prime time to prune them is in the spring or summer. That’s when they are entering their growing stage, so it’s ideal to cut them off to promote bushier and prettier foliage!
First, you’re going to need a pair of clean, sharp scissors. Now you need to cut down to a node where you see two leaves growing out of the sides of the armpits on the branch.
It’s located just above where new ones are about to grow. This will lead to the growth of bushier leaves and provide lots of flowers!
Another option for cutting off coleus flowers is to pinch off new leaf flower buds. You can do it with your fingernails or a pruner. This will result in two stems coming up from the middle of the branch you pinched!
Don’t Trim Back Coleus Flowers If You Want Free Seeds
To get seeds from this beautiful plant, you must let the coleus flowers bloom. Now, let’s take a look at the best (and easiest) way to collect seeds from your coleus flowers!
When the flowers start to turn brown, that’s the time to collect the seeds! The next thing you’ll need to do is chop off the flowering stems and place them in a paper bag.
The seeds will fall off by themselves, so you can collect them in a ziplock bag. Don’t forget to write down the name of the variety! Place them in a cool, dark place, and they will last up to two years.
Whether you want to achieve the biggest, most incredible foliage from your coleus or keep their adorable flowers, there’s something for everyone! These tricks will help you with cutting off coleus flowers in the easiest way and save their seeds that will last for even two years.
I will always choose the option to prune them off because I can get flowers anyway. I’m more interested in enjoying the lovely color palette they provide through summer and fall!
Now everything is up to you! Choose between these two options and enjoy the next season with a beautiful display that you’re going to love. Don’t worry, you still have plenty of time to make a final decision!
Good luck!