Tropical
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Grow for Beauty
When to plant Coleus in Australia
A practical climate-by-climate planting calendar plus detailed starting, care, problem and safety guidance.
StartPlant seedlingsLightPart shadeTimingColour within 6–10 weeksDifficultyEasy
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Australian planting calendar
Best months by climate
Highlighted months are the usual planting window. A local nursery, seed packet and current weather forecast should take priority over a broad climate calendar.
Subtropical
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarPlantAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March.
Warm temperate
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for September, October, November, December, January, February.
Cool temperate
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for October, November, December, January, February.
Mediterranean
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for September, October, November, December, January, February.
Semi-arid
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for September, October, November, December, January, February.
Arid
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for September, October, November, December, January, February.
Start well
Plant coleus with confidence
Plant seedlings. Prepare the final position first, retain the existing root-ball level and water thoroughly after planting.
- Sowing or planting depth
- Plant at the existing crown or root-ball level unless the label specifies otherwise.
- Germination or establishment
- Not normally started from seed in this guide; establishment speed depends on plant size, season and root condition.
- Spacing
- Use the mature width on the label; Patch's broad family guide is only a starting point.
- Soil
- Rich, moisture-retentive soil with plenty of mature compost; usually ph 6.0–7.0.
Feeding
Support steady growth
Use compost before planting and a light nitrogen-rich feed during active leafy growth.
Water
Keep moisture balanced
Keep evenly moist; leafy growth becomes tough when plants dry out.
Maintenance
What to do as it grows
Harvest outer leaves and keep moisture consistent to maintain tender growth.
Harvest or display
Know when it is ready
Colour within 6–10 weeks. Readiness varies with variety and weather; use colour, firmness, size and the supplier's maturity notes rather than the calendar alone.
Problems and companions
Keep your patch healthy
Common watch-outs
Watch for aphids, caterpillars, snails and leaf disease, especially in crowded growth.
Useful neighbours
Pair with small flowering herbs where light and spacing allow; rotate leafy crops between beds.
People and pets
Safety note
No Patch-specific toxicity warning is recorded. That does not prove the plant is safe—check the exact species with a veterinarian or poisons service if children or pets may eat it.
Moving plants
Biosecurity note
Check local weed, invasive-plant and interstate quarantine rules before sharing or moving unfamiliar plant material.
Transparent guidance
How to use this guide
Patch gives a broad Australian starting point, not a guarantee for every variety or garden. Read the Patch methodology and sources, check the latest Bureau of Meteorology climate information, and confirm interstate restrictions through Australian Interstate Quarantine.
Last reviewed 3 September 2026