Growing Kong Series Coleus Garden Seeds
- Taxonomy: Plectranthus scutellarioides
- Other Names: Painted Nettle
- Seed Type: Annual (Perennial in zones 10 – 11)
- Sow Indoors or Outdoors: Coleus seeds are popularly grown as both indoor and outdoor favorites. For earliest spring color, start Kong Series seeds 8 – 12 weeks prior and will germinate in 7 – 14 days in full lighting. If planted outside, coleus is commonly repotted in the fall to be kept indoors over winter and reintroduced in the spring.
- Days to Maturity: 84 – 91 days
- Hardiness Zone: 4 – 11
- Planting Depth: Plant 2 – 3 seeds ¼” deep
- Plant Spacing: 18”
- Growth Habit: 18 – 24" tall creeping shrub with an 18 – 24” spread of densely packed leaves
- Soil Preference: Loose, organically rich, well-drained
- Light Preference: Partial sun – Partial shade
- Diseases/Pests/Troubleshooting: Kong Series seeds will benefit from shade in long summers and direct heat. Do not let soil dry out, but do not over-saturate plants either. Coleus has no serious pests or insects, but monitor regularly for aphids and white flies, particularly on indoor plants.
- Color: Signature selection of Mosaic, Red, Rose, Scarlet, and Empire Mix
Kong Series coleus seeds are popularly grown as both indoor and outdoor favorites. For earliest spring color, start Kong Series seeds 8 – 12 weeks prior and seeds will germinate in 7 – 14 days in full lighting. If planted outside, coleus is commonly repotted in the fall to be kept indoors over winter and reintroduced in the spring. Plant 2 – 3 Kong Series coleus seeds 18" apart and ¼” deep into loose, organically rich, and well-drained soil in partial sun to partial shade. Kong Series seeds will benefit from shade in long summers and direct heat. Do not let soil dry out, but do not over-saturate plants either. Coleus has no serious pests or insects, but monitor regularly for aphids and white flies, particularly on indoor plants. Kong Series coleus seeds mature in 84 – 91 days as 18 – 24" tall creeping shrubs with an 18 – 24” spread of densely packed leaves.
Plectranthus scutellarioides, or otherwise known as Coleus, is a shrubby native to the perennially warm climates of India, southeast Asia, and Australia, but has since been naturalized throughout many of the tropics. Plectranthus scutellarioides is also synonymous with Solenostemon scutellarioides (its former taxonomical name) and is in fact a member of the coleus genus.