Coleus in Zone 11a & 11b
Plectranthus scutellarioides
When to plant coleus in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Coleus needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Oct 23–Oct 30 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 15–Jan 22 |
| Estimated bloom | Mar 31–Apr 7 (~75 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-3 ft.
Coleus is a foliage plant. NC State Extension puts it plainly: it is grown for its multi-coloured leaves, in reds, burgundies, pinks and golds, and the flowers are beside the point.
How coleus fits zone 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free in this dataset, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Coleus.
Where to buy coleus seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing coleus" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 11b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Coleus in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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