Coleus is one of the easiest ways to bring bold colour  into Kamloops gardens.  With their bright foliage and endless patterns, they shine in containers, borders, and shady corners.  Even better – you can keep your favourite varieties from year to year simply be saving them each fall.

Although coleus is usually grown as an annual, it’s actually a tender perennial. That means if you bring it indoors before frost, it will overwinter beautifully. You can save whole plants or start fresh ones from cuttings, depending on your space.

Two Reliable Ways to Save Coleus

• Overwinter whole plants
• Root fall cuttings

Both methods work well — choose whichever fits your home and gardening style.

Overwintering Whole Coleus Plants

If you have room indoors, bringing in your potted coleus is the simplest option.

Bring Them In Before Frost

Coleus collapses quickly in cold weather, so timing is everything. Move plants indoors before the first light frost.

Clean and Inspect

Wash the leaves gently to remove insects and check the soil surface for pests. A quick clean keeps indoor problems to a minimum.

Provide Bright Light

Coleus needs 4–6 hours of bright light daily to stay colourful. A south‑facing window works well. If natural light is limited, LED grow lights are an easy supplement.

Watering

Indoors, coleus prefers lightly moist soil. Water when the top inch begins to dry.

Fertilizing

Use a slow‑release, all‑purpose fertilizer at ¼ strength every other month. Indoor growth is slower, so plants need only a small boost.

Remove Blooms

If flower spikes appear, pinch them off. Blooms draw energy away from the foliage.

Saving Coleus Through Cuttings

Cuttings are perfect if you’re short on space or want several new plants for spring. Coleus roots quickly and reliably.

How to Take a Cutting

1. Choose a healthy stem with several leaves and small buds.
2. Cut it cleanly with sharp pruners.
3. Remove the lower leaves so the stem can sit in water or soil.
4. Place the cutting in moist potting soil or clean, untreated water.

Water vs. Soil

• Water rooting is fast — roots often appear within two weeks. Avoid softened or heavily treated tap water when rooting in water. Once roots are a few centimetres long, pot the cutting into fresh soil.
• Soil rooting works well but requires consistent moisture.

Whether you overwinter whole plants or rooted cuttings, treat coleus like any houseplant:

• Provide bright light and warmth.
• Keep soil lightly moist.
• Rotate plants occasionally for even growth.

By spring, your plants will be ready to move outdoors — and if they’re large enough, you can take even more cuttings to expand your collection.