Pruning guide
How to prune coleus
More coleus care
- How to prune coleus — our other guide for the same plant
- Full coleus care guide
- Common coleus problems & fixes
- How to propagate coleus
- When to repot coleus
Pruning coleus — FAQ
When should I prune coleus?
Spring through summer; remove flowers as soon as they appear year-round. Pinch or snip stem tips just above a leaf pair to encourage branching. Cut flower spikes at the base the moment they appear. For leggy plants, cut stems back by up to half in early spring.
How often does coleus need pruning?
Weekly to bi-weekly pinching during active growth; flowers removed immediately as they form. Coleus needs regular pinching to stay compact and colourful. Without pinching, plants bolt to flower, foliage colour fades, and stems become leggy. Pinch stem tips weekly during the growing season and remove all flower spikes immediately — flowering triggers decline. Hard cutback in spring rejuvenates overgrown plants.
How do you prune coleus?
Pinch or snip stem tips just above a leaf pair to encourage branching. Cut flower spikes at the base the moment they appear. For leggy plants, cut stems back by up to half in early spring.