Newer plant lady here! My friend gave me this coleus plant around a year ago and it was ⭐️thriving⭐️ and then all of the sudden it took a down turn. (I included pictures from when I think it was thriving, back in April). There were no changes in what I did to take care of it (eg: watering, sunlight, humidity). The leaves starred to go limp and lost their bright red hue. I spoke with my friend and she suggested I repot it. Well, I repotted it on or around 7/7/2025, I followed the type of soil mix she used and this plant went downhill QUICK. I repotted it at night, into wet soil, and didn’t put it in direct sunlight the next day.
I decided to try to salvage some of the original plant and propagated a stem of it. OVER NIGHT, the propagated plant was full and the bright red color was back, as the main plant continues to shrivel.
This is my third time I think repotting plants, so I am really new to it and this is the first time I’m attempting to propagate a plant.
Is there something wrong with the root system? It seems like the plant is dehydrated, but the soil is moist. Should I just cut the healthy parts and propagate that? The stem at the bottom is also turning brown.
I posted photos of the plant in April, earlier this week, and again today
Be kind! I don’t really know what I’m doing here and trying to learn. Also, the plant may be mocking my choice in new pot (see brown stem picture).
Thank you for your help!!
by sauceyinphilly
4 Comments
You should have cut the flower off. Never let them flower, they think their lifecycle is over. But never fear! The Coleus is never truly gone as long as there is a healthy piece. Looks like you are doing the right thing. Put those into water in an opaque container (to prevent algae) and when they have roots in about two weeks or so, repot. Give fertilizer monthly and cut off all flowers. Bright, indirect sunlight.
Most coleus are not meant for indoor houseplants and I do believe they are *annuals*.
Your propagations look great! That’s what I love about plants – part of it starts to die (whether through its own lifecycle, or me loving it too hard, or me forgetting to love it) and you can often save at least part of it in a new plant.
Even 10-20 minutes of near freezing temps will kill these plants.
I’ve had indoor coleus for years (same plant/multiple flowering cycles) and they do great, nice woody stems.
Let em flower and save the seeds!
Super easy to propagate cuttings in water as well!