Coleus plants are vibrant showstoppers that boast vibrant splashes, splotches, streaks, dots, borders, and veining in every hue imaginable. Perfect as houseplants!
Fishnet stocking coleus stands out among other varieties with its intricate, fishnet-like leaf pattern, making indoor cultivation simple with proper conditions and care.
Growth Habit
Coleus plants, often grown as annuals but hardy perennials in some zones, are prized for their vibrant foliage, with new cultivars available that tolerate full sun conditions and varieties that range in colors from green, yellow, red, burgundy or purple to variegated or spotted types available to brighten shaded areas with color. Coleus can be grown indoors in containers or outdoors in gardens alongside other shade-loving plants to add brightness.
Fishnet stocking coleus is an upright and spreading plant that can grow up to 30 inches at maturity, extending 16 inches. It makes a perfect choice for the front of shaded landscape beds or mixed-in containers with other fillers or spillers like columbines, impatiens, or verbenas – it even works well as an accent filler for hanging baskets!
Fishnet Stockings’ leaves feature vivid lime green hues with dark purple veining that radiates across each leaf surface and neat notched edges that create striking leaf variegation when planted in direct sunlight.
Growing this variety of coleus is best done in partial sun as direct sunlight may bleach out its color and alter its beauty. Dappled shade or partial sunlight are equally suited for this species of coleus; total sunlight exposure should only be tolerated moderately. Coleus needs rich, well-draining soil in which to thrive – poor drainage will inhibit its development, while overwatering may cause its leaves to become scorched and yellowed.
Flower buds may be removed quickly as soon as they appear if desired, keeping the focus on the beautiful foliage of Coleus plants. They can also be cut back as needed to maintain your plants’ business. Coleus are at their most attractive before blooms emerge; therefore, many gardeners choose them just for their foliage alone.
Coleus varieties designed to tolerate the sun have revolutionized container gardening. These larger, sun-loving cultivars can be grown together for an eye-catching display or mixed in with shade-tolerant types for an intriguing mixture. Some examples of sun-loving coleus cultivars include ColorBlaze LIME TIME with large crocodile green leaves featuring buttery yellow centers; Freckles with polka-dotted green and red leaves; Alabama Sunset featuring orange, pink, and purple leaves on burgundy bases; Dipt in Wine, which features deep burgundy leaves adorned with shimmer gold leaves; and finally Inferno which boasts deep burgundy and yellow leaves for maximum impact when mixed or mixed with shade-tolerant coleus cultivars like Alabama Sunset are among others that set apart this range – these specialized varieties.
Leaf Variegation
Coleus plants typically feature either solid-colored leaves or variegation such as splotches or edges; however, fishnet stocking coleus stands out with its intricate leaf pattern that adds depth to containers, garden beds, and mixed landscape borders. As with most warm-season annuals, fishnet stocking coleus requires regular watering and fertilization, but compared with other varieties, it is relatively straightforward.
Start growing a fishnet stocking coleus by choosing an efficiently draining container filled with standard potting mix or garden soil amended with organic matter. Make sure the location receives adequate sun; bright, indirect light is ideal. If possible, place the container facing north or east for maximum filtered sun each day.
Once planted, make sure the soil is fertilized with a well-balanced slow-release or liquid fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK); follow label directions for proper dilution rates. Foliar feeding once or twice throughout the growing season can also keep fishnet stocking coleus healthy and vibrant.
As is true of most coleus varieties, fishnet stocking coleus is vulnerable to spider mites and aphids – pests that need regular inspection and treatment with either neem oil or insecticidal soap to ensure your plant stays undamaged by these unwanted visitors.
Fishnet stocking coleus makes an eye-catching statement in containers alone or when combined with other warm-season foliage plants, such as yellow calibrachoa or cordyline dracaena, to accentuate its freckly pattern. You may even consider mixing in flowers such as pansies or petunias to highlight this plant’s distinctive leaves further; its unique leaf pattern also makes this variety suitable for hanging baskets.
Pests and Diseases
Coleus plants make captivating foliage plants to collect and grow, with an assortment of vibrant colors, shapes, and sizes that offer something new every season. Unfortunately, like any plant, they can become stressed and die without proper care – however, if you keep an eye out for potential problems and act immediately, then this beautiful species might save itself from destruction or even death!
Coleus are tropical plants that require warm temperatures and plenty of moisture, ideally temperatures above 60 degrees both day and night. When planting outdoors, they should wait until temperatures have consistently exceeded this threshold for at least a few weeks prior to being grown outdoors as annuals, as this provides adequate frost protection when temperatures turn colder in the fall or winter months. Coleus generally thrive in part to full sunlight with some filtered shade; containers grown Coleus plants should be brought inside once temperatures start cooling off in fall to protect from frost until all threats have passed before returning outdoors after frost has cleared away in spring!
Mildew is a common threat for coleus plants, leading to yellowed leaves and distortion in leaf shape. There are various methods available for controlling mildew, such as switching your soil mix for one with less nitrogen, moving your plant into direct sunlight, and spraying with fungicide.
Coleus plants may also be affected by pests such as aphids and whiteflies, which can damage their foliage significantly and make them look unsightly. You can manually remove aphids with solid streams of water or introduce natural predators into your garden to control populations; insecticidal soap or horticultural oil are also valuable tools in controlling these pests.
Rot is another common problem among coleus plants, often caused by overwatering or soil that lacks sufficient drainage. Overwatering leads to root rot and eventual plant death; to avoid this scenario, constantly water your coleus early in the morning for it to have time to dry off by evening; additionally, ensure your soil drainage is optimized with organic material added for added drainage benefits.
Care Indoors
Coleus houseplants make ideal indoor houseplants. These vibrant flowers thrive in warm and humid environments and can easily be managed using insecticidal soap solutions to control pests like aphids and mites. Since coleus can become waterlogged more often than other varieties of houseplants, it’s wise to choose loose, well-draining soil mix when planting one indoors – half-strength complete indoor houseplant food should be applied every four weeks as an indoor fertilizer to give your coleus plants the best chance at success!
As with other plant varieties, Coleus does not tolerate cold temperatures or frost well. When planting young Coleus plants outdoors in springtime, make sure that their young growth remains protected until temperatures are consistent enough for no-freeze nights and temperatures stay above 32 F during the daytime.
Coleus is an easy perennial flowering plant to care for in any garden setting, and it also makes an excellent addition to containers and hanging baskets. Due to its upright growth habit, this choice works excellently as a “thriller” when combined with other flowers or foliage plants in containers or hanging baskets. Most gardeners agree that Coleus looks its best before flowering begins; pinch off any blooms as soon as they appear so the foliage remains attractive.
Outdoor containers and hanging baskets should be planted with a rich, well-draining soil mixture for best results. Fishnet stocking coleus’ upright form makes it an excellent addition to shade gardens, patio planters, and hanging baskets – particularly when combined with other shade-loving plants as a border or “thriller.”
To propagate Coleus, take non-flowering stem tips during summer or autumn and root them in water in a container over winter. Or snip off one non-flowering leaf from your plant and place it in some rich soil with some compost added, where the leaf will take root and produce seedlings that can later be transplanted either to containers or the ground. When growing Coleus in containers, it should only be watered when its top inch of soil dries; using a soaker hose or drip system helps ensure overwatering does not occur, whereas regular feed with liquid fertilizers is recommended to ensure success!
