Coleus in Zone 5a & 5b
Plectranthus scutellarioides
When to plant coleus in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b 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 1–Mar 8 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 24–May 31 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 7–Aug 14 (~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 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 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 5b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Coleus in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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