How to Pinch Coleus Plants

Coleus provide a bright splash of color during the hottest months of summer when nothing is blooming. These easy-to-grow annuals come in an array of colors, sizes, and habits. They naturally tend to grow upward instead of outward and can get tall and leggy without intervention. The trick to keeping these plants lush and growing is regular pinching. No, it doesn't hurt them; in fact, they love it and will reward you by becoming fuller and even more eyecatching. Turn a tiny starter plant into a brilliant display by learning this simple pinching technique.

Things You'll Need

• Small cosmetic scissors (optional)

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Choose a healthy starter plant with at least 5 sets of leaves. With thumb and forefinger or your fingernails, pinch and remove the top two sets of leaves.

   • 2

     Continue to pinch the top growing tips from branches with at least 3 sets of leaves to encourage branching. Pinch too-tall branches by gently bending the top until it breaks off above the second set of leaves.

   • 3

     Pinch out flowers as soon as they appear to keep the coleus growing. Allowing the flowers to go to seed signals the plant that it's time to die.