Plectranthus tomentosa

Coleus produce flower spikes, if they are removed they will assist the foliage.

They can be sown 2.5 months before the last frost, put seed compost into a container. firm down, then sow seed on top, set the container in water so that the compost is moistened from the bottom up, when it has been taken out let it drain before covering with glass or clear plastic, cling film is good. Put onto a bright windowsill but not in direct sunlight.

Take soft wood cuttings in spring to early summer. Cleanly cut up to a 10 cm long stems, remove lower leaves and pinch the tip out, dip the stem into rooting hormone, fill a container/pot with suitable compost, make holes around the edge of it and plant the cuttings, water in well, cover with a polythene bag and place somewhere warm,take the bag off twice a week to air the cuttings. Keep the cuttings moist until well rooted.Harden off when well rooted and pot on into individual pots increasing the airing to let the leaves to develop. Remove rotten, dying or dead cuttings regularly.

Plant outside into partial shade, when all sign of frost is gone, this will encourage better leaf colours. Pinch the tops out when they about 6 inches tall to make them become bushy. If growing on into pots, fill the pot with compost mixed with some well rotted garden compost or manure as this will act as a feed before planting them. Put them onto a bright windowsill, but avoid direct sunlight.