Last winter, I dug up two big ones and brought them indoors. They dropped some leaves at first but then bounced back. They made it through winter, and I replanted them in spring! I’m up northeast.
Pax said:
Last winter, I dug up two big ones and brought them indoors. They dropped some leaves at first but then bounced back. They made it through winter, and I replanted them in spring! I’m up northeast.
What kind of pots did you use? I’m running low on big ones.
Pax said:
Last winter, I dug up two big ones and brought them indoors. They dropped some leaves at first but then bounced back. They made it through winter, and I replanted them in spring! I’m up northeast.
Mine has grown like crazy since last year, it’s almost as big as my burning bushes now!
Pax said:
Last winter, I dug up two big ones and brought them indoors. They dropped some leaves at first but then bounced back. They made it through winter, and I replanted them in spring! I’m up northeast.
I reused big pots from summer plants, but you could also use plastic buckets from the Dollar Store—just drill some holes in the bottom.
Tallis said:
Wow! I’ve never seen so many coleus together like this… looks fantastic!
Believe it or not, they’re all trimmings I rooted from just 8 plants I got in the spring. Coleus are perfect for mass planting!
Here’s my method:
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Trim very lightly before the first freeze. The remaining foliage will protect the plant a bit. Water the day before covering with frost cloth, and mulch for extra insulation. Try to keep the cloth from touching the leaves directly.
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In spring, after the frost danger is gone, trim back dead foliage to encourage new growth. As long as roots stay warm enough, they’ll come back.
@Teo
Thank you so much for all the details! I’ll definitely try this.
I’m in zone 5b, and somehow a coleus I planted in a half wine barrel has come back for three years now. Thinking I should propagate it and sell it as ‘cold hardy’ coleus!
Weston said:
I’m in zone 5b, and somehow a coleus I planted in a half wine barrel has come back for three years now. Thinking I should propagate it and sell it as ‘cold hardy’ coleus!
If there aren’t any restrictions, go for it! 
IF winter ever arrives! It’s still pretty mild right now.
Mika said:
IF winter ever arrives! It’s still pretty mild right now.
Good point, it has been a warm fall!
Nooooooo! Those coleus are stunning. I’m in zone 10… you could just send them to me for winter care 
Kai said:
Oh, if only!
I’ve realized coleus look amazing in mass plantings, and they’re so easy to care for. I use Aquapot inserts in my big pots, highly recommend them!
@Reed
Do you save seeds from your plants or just buy packets?
@Reed
Any favorite brands? I tried a rainbow mix on Amazon, and only got 2 plants out of 500 seeds… never again!
Same here! I’ll miss them so much 
Nova said:
Same here! I’ll miss them so much
Are you losing your plants to the cold too?
I always take cuttings in the fall and root them inside for winter.
Blake said:
I always take cuttings in the fall and root them inside for winter.
I’ll give that a try!