How to Grow Coleus from Stem Cuttings

With so many varieties of Coleus available on the market today, you could spend a fortune trying to increase your Coleus collection. Instead of going out and buying each variety, you can grow your own from stem cuttings. There are two ways to root Coleus cuttings. You can either grow them using soil or grow them in using just water.

To Grow Coleus from cuttings you will needs the following items:

Access to your favorite coleus plants
Shears
Small pots with good drainage
Water
Potting mix

When growing Coleus from cuttings, the first thing you need to do is prepare your growing medium. Filling each container with soil, water thoroughly. Allow all the excess water to drain out and water again to insure that all the soil has been moistened.

Next begin by taking cuttings from the Coleus plant. Choose stems that have new growth, appear to be healthy and free of diseases or illness. You can either choose to cut a whole stem or to just take tip cuttings. Either way, insure that your cuttings are 3-4 inches with at least 1 set of leave on the top of each cuttings.

Next, gently push each cuttings into the soil. You will want to be gently to insure that you don't break the stems which will prevent them from rooting. Leave at least 1 inch in between each cutting. Depending on the size of your pots, you should be able to put 4-6 cuttings in each pot. Larger pots will be able to hold much more.

Once your cuttings are planted water them well. Allow them to drain and then place in a greenhouse, near a window or in a partly-shaded area.

With in a 1-2 weeks you should be able to see new growth and can assume that your Coleus are rooting. If you are not sure use your finger to move the dirt from around one cuttings. Gently pull the tip above the surface to check for roots. Be very careful as not to disturb the roots on other cuttings. If roots have formed you can now transplant the Coleus cuttings into larger pots.

Growing Coleus Using Water

To grow Coleus from cuttings using the water method simply take cuttings as mentioned above. Fill small cups, bottles or other non-draining containers with perlite and fill with water. Perlite is not required but does help the process by holding up the cuttings so that they aren't leaning or sitting on the bottom. Maintain fresh water in the containers and with in 1-2 weeks you will have new cuttings. Simply pull the cuttings out from time to time or when changing the water to see the progress of your new roots.