How to Prune Coleus

Coleus scutellarioides

Reviewed by Kiersten Rankel M.S.

Quick Answer

Pinch or prune coleus throughout spring and summer, focusing on the growing tips and any flower spikes that appear. Removing the tips right above a leaf pair encourages the plant to branch out and stay full instead of getting tall and sparse. You can remove up to half the plant at once without any trouble.

When is the best time to prune?

Coleus grows actively in warm weather, so your pruning window depends on when temperatures stay consistently above 60°F in your region.

Pacific

Mar–Oct

Mountain

Jun–Sep

Midwest

May–Sep

Northeast

May–Sep

Southeast

Apr–Oct

Stay on top of plant care

Get seasonal reminders for watering and fertilizing — personalized for your plants.

Try Greg Free

Why Should I Prune My Coleus?

Coleus is grown for its colorful leaves, not its flowers. When a coleus sends up flower spikes, it puts its energy into blooming and the foliage starts to fade and thin out. Pinching off those flower spikes as soon as you see them keeps the plant focused on producing the bright leaves you want.

Without regular pinching, coleus tends to grow tall and leggy with long gaps between leaves. By snipping or pinching the stem tips just above a pair of leaves, you force the plant to split into two new branches at that point. Do this a few times through the season and you end up with a full, bushy plant instead of a lanky one.

The best time to start is when the plant has at least three or four sets of leaves. Pinch the top set, wait for two new shoots to grow in, then pinch those. Indoor coleus can be pruned year-round since they stay in warm conditions. Outdoor plants should only be pruned during active growth.

Coleus is very forgiving. Even if you cut it back hard, it bounces right back as long as the roots are healthy and the weather is warm. Save the cuttings and stick them in water or moist soil. They root easily and give you new plants for free.

Know Before You Cut

Difficulty Easy

Max removal Up to 1/2 of total growth

Growth pattern Upright, branching herb

Tools Fingers or sharp scissors

What Should I Remove?

Pinch off flower spikes as soon as they appear

Remove stem tips above a leaf pair to encourage branching

Trim back leggy stems to a fuller section of the plant

Cut away any faded or damaged leaves

Don't let flowers go to seed or foliage quality drops

Don't prune when temperatures are below 60°F

Don't remove all leaves from a single stem

How Do I Prune Step by Step?

Check for flower spikes first

Look at the top of each stem for small, upright flower buds. Snap or snip these off right at the base of the spike. This is the single most important pruning task for coleus.

Pinch the growing tips

Find the topmost pair of leaves on each stem and pinch or cut the stem just above it. Two new branches will grow from that spot within a week or two.

Cut back leggy stems

If any stems are noticeably taller or thinner than the rest, cut them back to match the overall shape. Make your cut just above a leaf pair so the stem can branch.

Remove damaged or faded leaves

Pull off any leaves that are brown, wilted, or have lost their color. This tidies the plant and lets light reach the inner leaves.

Root your cuttings

Place any healthy stem cuttings in a glass of water. They will root in about a week and can be potted up or added back to the original container for a fuller look.

Got More Questions?

Can I prune my coleus if it has already flowered?

Yes. Cut the flower spikes off and trim the plant back by about a third. It will push out fresh, colorful growth within a couple of weeks as long as it has warmth and light.

What happens if I cut my coleus back too far?

Coleus is very resilient. Even if you cut it down to just a few inches of stem with a couple of leaf pairs, it will regrow quickly in warm conditions. Just make sure at least one or two leaf nodes remain on each stem.

Why is my coleus getting tall and thin instead of bushy?

It probably needs more light and more frequent pinching. Coleus stretches toward light when it does not get enough. Move it to a brighter spot and pinch the tips every two to three weeks to encourage branching.

Should I prune my indoor coleus differently?

The technique is the same, but indoor coleus can be pinched year-round since it stays warm. Keep an eye out for flower spikes, which indoor plants will still produce, and remove them promptly.

Can I use coleus cuttings to grow new plants?

Absolutely. Coleus roots extremely easily from stem cuttings. Place them in water and you should see roots within five to seven days. Once roots are an inch or two long, pot them up in moist soil.

Stay on top of plant care

Get seasonal reminders for watering and fertilizing — personalized for your plants.

Try Greg Free

About This Article

Kiersten Rankel M.S.

Botanical Data Lead at Greg · Plant Scientist

About the Author

Kiersten Rankel holds an M.S. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from Tulane University. A certified Louisiana Master Naturalist, she has over a decade of experience in science communication, with research spanning corals, cypress trees, marsh grasses, and more. At Greg, she curates species data and verifies care recommendations against botanical research.

See Kiersten Rankel's full background on LinkedIn.

Editorial Process

Pruning guidance verified against Coleus scutellarioides growth data from Greg's botanical database, cross-referenced with USDA hardiness zone data and published horticultural research.

14,761+ Greg users growing this plant

USDA hardiness zones 10a–11b

Citations:
NC State Extension
Missouri Botanical Garden
Royal Horticultural Society

More about Coleus

Annual Benefits Best Pot Bugs Care Indoors Care Outdoors Companion Plants Direct Sunlight Fertilizing Flower Flower Problems Hardiness Zone How to Grow How to Plant Humidity Landscaping Ideas Black Spots on Leaves Brown Spots on Leaves Leaves Curling Leaves Drooping Leaves Dropping Leaves Falling Over Leaves Mushy Yellow Leaves Lifecycle Light Requirements Overview Perennial Pollination Propagating Repotting Root Rot Roots Size Soil Temperature Varieties How Often to Water Weeds What Eats When to Plant Where to Plant Wilting Winter

Grow plants with confidence