The coleus plant is widely celebrated for its stunning, multicolored foliage, featuring combinations of lime green, burgundy, pink, and bronze. Coleus is generally treated as an annual, though it is technically a tropical perennial. For new growers, the appearance of small, spire-like blooms often raises a question about whether this development is beneficial. The instinct to remove these spikes is correct if the goal is to maintain the plant’s lush, dense appearance. This practice, known as pinching or deadheading, directs the plant’s energy toward creating more of the prized foliage.
Why Coleus Plants Bloom
Flowering in coleus is a natural biological response to the plant reaching maturity, signaling its readiness to complete its life cycle. Coleus initiates bloom development as a mechanism for reproduction, aiming to set seed before the season ends. The typical coleus flower appears as a slender, upright spike composed of tiny, often pale blue, white, or lavender blossoms. These flowers are visually insignificant compared to the plant’s large, brightly patterned leaves, providing little ornamental value.
The transition to flowering can also be triggered prematurely by environmental cues or stress, such as shorter daylight hours in late summer or early fall. Conditions like being pot-bound, experiencing extreme heat, or prolonged dry periods can also cause the plant to enter a survival mode. In this state, the plant prioritizes reproduction and rushes to produce flowers and seeds, a process that takes a significant physiological toll. Once the plant begins to shift its focus, the quality and vigor of the leaves often begin to decline.
The Practice of Pinching
The decision to remove the blooms is rooted in the plant’s energy budget and growth habit. Once a flower spike forms, the plant diverts a large amount of energy and nutrients into the production of blossoms and, eventually, seeds. This reproductive effort comes directly at the expense of vegetative growth. This means the vibrant, colorful leaves will become smaller and less numerous. Allowing the flowers to remain will result in the entire plant becoming spindly or “leggy,” losing its desirable compact form.
Removing the bloom spikes also counteracts apical dominance, which dictates that the central, uppermost growing point is prioritized for growth. When the apical bud is pinched off, the plant releases growth-regulating hormones that activate the dormant buds located in the leaf axils below the cut. This hormonal shift stimulates lateral branching, causing two or more new stems to sprout from the point where the bloom was removed. The result is a much denser, bushier plant with a greater volume of colorful foliage. Consistent pinching throughout the growing period ensures the plant maintains its full, rounded shape and continues to produce large, high-quality leaves.
Step-by-Step Guide to Deadheading
Pinching the flower spikes is a straightforward task that requires no special tools for new, soft growth. To begin, locate the slender flower spike emerging from the top center of a stem. For young, tender growth, use your thumb and forefinger to gently pinch off the entire spike. Make the pinch just above the nearest set of leaves or a visible side shoot, which is known as a node.
If the spike has matured and the stem tissue is firmer or slightly woody, it is better to use clean, sharp shears or a small pair of scissors. The cut should still be made right above a node, as this is where the new side branches will be generated. Making the cut close to a node ensures that there is no leafless stem segment left behind to wither. This maintenance should be performed regularly, ideally as soon as the small flower buds begin to form at the tip of the stem.