Are coleus plants perennials ?

I planted some coleus plants last year and they were beautiful. The stalk is now brown, and I have cut them back (about 4-5 inches above ground). Do I need to cut them back more?

Are coleus plants perennials ?
Coleus is a perennial, BUT it is native to tropical areas in Africa, so it is not hardy in cooler climates and absolutely will not tollerate any frost. In temperate zones it is often grown as an annual since it will winter kill, and tends to get leggy with age. It can be grown indoors if you want to keep it alive long term as long as you don't let them seed out, or you can propegate it by bringing cuttings indoors.



Cuttings are extremely easy to start. You can create a clone of any Coleus one of two ways. Take softwood stem cuttings at any time of the year, using a sharp clean knife to cut the stem just below a leaf node. Remove the lowest leaves, dip the cut end into a rooting hormone and insert it into some fresh potting soil. The cuttings will usually wilt at first, but with soil that is just kept damp, they will return to full form in a few days (generally about a week). Or, you can just break a tip off and you will find it will also root quickly in a glass of room temperature tap water, then plant it.



Any frost will cause them to die so make your cuttings before your 1st frost in the fall and plant in pots to retain for the following year. By removing the small flower spikes as they develop, and keeping the plant pinched back, the Coleus can be kept in a perennial state for several seasons. As soon as they set seed, they feel they have fulfilled their mission in life and will soon die.



My grandma grew them for many years before she passed away.
Reply:They are treated as annuals in colder climates.



Next year, try planting a few in pots right away and enjoying them outside, perhaps on your front steps or patio. When the weather starts to cool next fall, trim them back and begin bringing them inside at night, acclimating them to the inside of your house. Eventually keep them inside near a window.



The following spring? Bring them back outside. I would plant them directly in the garden and once again, trimming them back a little.
Reply:They're annuals. If you want to keep a plant from year to year, you can bring it inside during the colder months or just take cuttings and root them is a glass of water. The plant will not survive if left outdoors all winter.
Reply:Coleus is an annual so it is dying off. Pull it out and plant something else.
Reply:They are annuals, probably will not come back, unless you live in a warm climate.