Here’s how much sun a Coleus plant needs so that you can ensure it stays healthy and maintains its color throughout the year!
With its colorful foliage, the coleus plant is a standout in gardens and homes. But behind that beauty lies a delicate relationship with sunlight. If you’re wondering just how much sun a coleus plant needs to thrive, here’s everything you need to know.
How Much Sun Does a Coleus Plant Need To Grow
Coleus plants love a combination of shade and sun, and even in the wild, they grow under the dappled canopy of larger plants and trees, under filtered light. This means they don’t enjoy strong, direct sun for long periods, but they also don’t dislike it for short periods, which should give you a good idea about their sunlight requirements.
Basically, your coleus prefers bright, indirect light for about 4-6 hours daily with a mix of a couple of hours of direct sun.
It also thrives in mild, direct sunlight in cooler climates. During hot summers, you must avoid direct sun exposure, which can cause the leaves to scorch or lose their color.
Coleus can grow outdoors year-round in partial shade in tropical or warmer zones (USDA Zones 9–11). In colder zones, it’s usually grown as an annual, houseplant, or brought indoors during winter.
If you want to get the sunlight right, follow this good rule of thumb–the more vibrant the foliage, the more light your coleus needs, but don’t give it full sun, especially in the afternoon. And definitely don’t keep it here!
Pro Tip: Bright, filtered light helps intensify red, pink, and purple tones in variegated varieties. However, direct sun will bleach or burn these leaves. On the other hand, green-leafed varieties tend to do better in lower light.
Best Sunlight Spots for Coleus
Placement is everything if you want your coleus to stay bushy and colorful. The best spot is in the east direction, where it receives morning light without the burning midday sun.
If your only available space is a south or west-facing spot, be sure to use sheer curtains or blinds to filter the intense sunlight. You can also place it a few feet away from the south or west-facing window to avoid direct sun.
Due to shorter days during fall and winter, coleus might get a bit leggy, so as much light as possible, also use it as a grow light to supplement the sun.
Also, be aware that coleus is sensitive to cold drafts and temperatures below 10 C (50 F). Keep it away from open windows and cold glass during winter.
Note: Avoid tucking it into dark corners or overly shaded rooms because coleus won’t survive there. Perhaps try growing it vertically, if you don’t have space?
Signs Your Coleus Is Not Getting The Right Light
When your coleus isn’t getting the right amount of sunlight, you will see the signs on its leaves. Too much sun will cause the foliage to look scorched, faded, or bleached, while the edges may turn crispy or brown.
On the other hand, giving it too little light will result in stretched, leggy growth with dull or faded colors. Your plant may also start to lose its patterns.
So, if your coleus is looking pale, floppy, or starts leaning dramatically toward the light, it’s time to reassess its placement for better lighting conditions.
Pro Tip: Rotate your plant every few days if it’s indoors, so it grows evenly and doesn’t bend toward one side.
Give your coleus the right light, and it’ll reward you with bold, beautiful leaves. Just remember–a combination of direct and indirect is best for this plant.
