Coleus
Seed # 119
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 119
- Seed Name
- Coleus
- Variety
- Pinto Mix
- Category
- Flower
- Plant Family
- Lamiaceae
- Plant Type
- Ornamental foliage coleus (Coleus scutellarioides)
- Planting Method
- Direct Sow or Transplant
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- Feb 10
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Jun 15
- Plantable Months
- February, March, April, May, June
- Indoor Start
- Feb 10 – Mar 10
- Direct Sow
- May 19 – Jun 15
- Transplant
- May 19 – Jun 15
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- 12 weeks
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- 2 weeks
- Germination Days
- 10–20 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- Not recorded
- Succession Planting
- Not recorded
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- 70-75°F
- Planting Depth
- Surface sow
- Plant Spacing
- 18 in
- Row Spacing
- 18-24 in
- Thin-To Spacing
- 18 in
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water Needs
- About 1-2 in/week; keep evenly moist while allowing slight drying between waterings; avoid saturated soil
- Soil Preference
- Rich, moist, well-drained soil
- Minimum Container Size
- 2-3 gal
- Plant Height
- 18-24 in
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Annual
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- No
- Heat Tolerant
- Yes
- Drought Tolerant
- No
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- No
Garden Uses
Container Pollinator Seed SavingCompanion Planting
No companion relationships recorded.
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Start indoors; transplant after frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 20 – Jun 20
Days to Harvest / Bloom: Foliage display all season
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Ornamental
Perennial?: Tender perennial; overwinter cuttings indoors
Succession / Reusable Notes: Great for containers/shady spots.
Zone 6B Notes: Pinch tips for bushier plants.
Companion Plants: Impatiens, begonias, shade herbs, containers, ornamental borders
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Hard frost/full harsh sun for some varieties
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Coleus is frost-sensitive and should not be planted outside until approximately 2 weeks after the May 5 last frost. Pinto Mix performs well in containers or garden beds.
Germination: Surface sow because the tiny seeds need light. Maintain 70-75°F and even moisture. Start 8-12 weeks before the last frost for strong transplants.
Seed Saving: Pinto Mix is a genetically diverse seed mixture. Seed saved from individual plants will not reliably reproduce the original mix of foliage colors and patterns.
Special Care: Pinch growing tips to encourage compact, bushy growth. Strong afternoon sun may bleach foliage on some seedlings, so move affected plants to partial shade.
Research Source: Select Seeds — https://www.selectseeds.com/products/coleus-pinto-mix-seeds — Coleus scutellarioides identity, 10-20 day germination, 70-75°F start temperature, 8-12 week indoor start, surface sowing, 18-inch spacing, height, soil, sun, water and container use
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]