When to plant coleus
Short answer
Plant coleus about 1 week after your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 22, starting seeds indoors about Feb 4. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Nov 6 | Jan 22 | Mar 23 |
| Zone 2 | Dec 7 | Feb 22 | Apr 23 |
| Zone 3 | Dec 30 | Mar 17 | May 16 |
| Zone 4 | Jan 19 | Apr 6 | Jun 5 |
| Zone 5 | Feb 4 | Apr 22 | Jun 21 |
| Zone 6 | Feb 19 | May 7 | Jul 6 |
| Zone 7 | Mar 6 | May 22 | Jul 21 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 23 | Jun 8 | Aug 7 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Coleus is a tender crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
What sets the timing for coleus
When to plant coleus comes down to one date: your last spring frost. Coleus is a tender crop, so it goes in about 1 week after your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 22.
Give it a head start: sow seeds indoors about 10 weeks before your last spring frost (around Feb 4 in zone 5), then move seedlings out once conditions are right. From there it's roughly 60 days to first bloom.
Because that anchor date moves with climate, plant-out for coleus ranges from about Mar 17 in warm zone 3 to May 22 in cold zone 7. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for the exact dates in your zone.
What sets the timing
| Factor | Effect on timing |
|---|---|
| Frost anchor | Timing counts from your last spring frost |
| Hardiness | Coleus is tender — it waits until the soil warms after frost |
| Indoor start | Start seeds 10 weeks before your last spring frost |
| Days to harvest | About 60 days from planting to first bloom |
| Climate zone | Higher (colder) zones push plant-out later; warmer zones let you start sooner |
| Soil & weather | Needs warm soil — cold, wet ground stunts or rots it |
How coleus compares
Plant-out date in a mid climate (zone 5), against an early hardy crop and a late tender one.
| Crop | Plant outside (zone 5) |
|---|---|
| Peas (hardy · plants early) | Mar 11 |
| Coleus | Apr 22 |
| Tomatoes (tender · plants late) | Apr 29 |
Tips for growing coleus
- Don't rush coleus outside — cold soil stalls it. Wait until after your last spring frost and, ideally, until nights stay mild.
- Give coleus a 10 weeks indoor head start under a bright light before transplanting.
- Count roughly 60 days from planting to first bloom, and stagger sowings a few weeks apart for a longer picking window.
- Enter your ZIP in the calculator for coleus dates tuned to your exact climate zone.
Your exact dates
Open the planting calendarOther crops
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant coleus?
Plant coleus about 1 week after your last spring frost. That's around Apr 6 in zone 4 and May 7 in zone 6.
When do I start coleus seeds indoors?
Start coleus seeds indoors about 10 weeks before your last frost, then transplant after the frost passes. That's roughly Feb 19 in zone 6.
How long until coleus blooms?
About 60 days from planting until first bloom. In zone 6, coleus planted around May 7 is typically blooming near Jul 6.