Coleus in Zone 3a & 3b
Plectranthus scutellarioides
When to plant coleus in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b 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 | Mar 21–Mar 28 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jun 13–Jun 20 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 27–Sep 3 (~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 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Coleus needs about 75 days from transplant to first harvest.
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 3b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Coleus in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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