Coleus Light Requirements

If you want to keep your coleus vibrant indoors, understanding coleus light requirements is the first step. These plants are famous for their stunning, colorful foliage, but without the right light, those colors can fade fast. Getting the lighting right is simpler than you might think, and it makes all the difference between a plant that survives and one that truly thrives on your windowsill.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what kind of light your coleus needs, how to spot problems, and how to create the perfect environment. You’ll learn how to use both natural and artificial light to keep your plant looking its best all year round.

Coleus plants are not like many common houseplants. They don’t thrive in deep shade, nor can they handle intense, direct sun all day. Their ideal spot is one with bright, but indirect, light. Think of the dappled sunlight they would get under a tree canopy in their native tropical habitats.

This balanced light condition is what encourages the most intense leaf coloration and sturdy, compact growth. Too little light, and the plant becomes leggy and dull. Too much, and the leaves can scorch and wash out.

What is Bright, Indirect Light?

This term gets used a lot, but what does it actually mean for your home? Bright, indirect light is a well-lit space where no sunbeams directly touch the plant’s leaves.

A spot near a sunny east or north-facing window.
A few feet back from a south or west-facing window, where the sun is stronger.
Behind a sheer curtain that diffuses the direct sunlight.
In a room with lots of light-colored walls that reflect light.

An easy test is the shadow test: in bright, indirect light, your hand should cast a soft, but defined, shadow on the plant’s leaves.

The Role of Leaf Color in Light Needs

Interestingly, the color of your specific coleus variety gives you a big clue about its needs. The more dark red, purple, or deep green in the leaves, the better it can tolerate slightly lower light levels. Varieties with lots of bright pink, white, or pale yellow actually need more light to maintain their vivid patterns. If a lighter-colored coleus isn’t getting enough light, it will often revert to producing more green chlorophyll.

Signs Your Coleus Isn’t Getting Enough Light

Your plant will tell you when it’s light-starved. Watch for these signals:

Leggy Growth: Long stems with lots of space between leaves. The plant is stretching to find a light source.
Fading Color: The brilliant purples, reds, and pinks turn muddy, green, or washed out.
Smaller Leaves: New leaves don’t grow as large as the older ones did.
Leaf Drop: The plant may start dropping its lower leaves.
Slowed Growth: The plant just seems to stop putting out new growth.

Signs Your Coleus is Getting Too Much Light

On the other hand, too much of a good thing is also possible, especially with harsh afternoon sun.

Scorched Leaves: Brown, crispy patches or bleached, pale areas on the leaves. This damage is permanent.
Wilting: The plant wilts during the hottest part of the day, even if the soil is moist.
Curling Leaves: Leaves may curl inward to try and reduce their sun exposure.
Washed-Out Color: Similar to too little light, intense sun can bleach colors, making them look pale.

Seasonal Light Adjustments

The sun’s intensity and angle change with the seasons, so your coleus’s perfect spot in March might be too harsh in July.

Spring and Summer

This is when the sun is strongest. You might need to pull your plant back from a south or west window by a foot or two. A sheer curtain becomes your best friend during these months. If you only have a very sunny window, consider moving the coleus to an east-facing location for gentler morning sun.

Fall and Winter

The sun is weaker and lower in the sky. This is the time when you can safely move your coleus closer to the window to maximize the available light. A south-facing window is ideal during the short, dim days of winter. Don’t be afraid to let it get some direct sun during these months—it usually won’t be strong enough to cause scorching.

Using Artificial Light for Coleus

Don’t have a good window? No problem! Coleus grows exceptionally well under artificial lights, making them great for offices or darker apartments.

The key is to use the right type of bulb and set it up correctly. Standard incandescent bulbs are not suitable—they get too hot and don’t provide the right light spectrum.

Best Types of Grow Lights

LED Grow Lights: These are the most popular and efficient choice. They produce little heat, use less energy, and you can find full-spectrum models that mimic sunlight. They are perfect for coleus.
Fluorescent Lights: Simple shop lights or T5/T8 fluorescent tubes work very well, especially for a collection of plants. They provide a good spectrum for foliage growth and are cost-effective.

Setting Up Your Grow Lights

Positioning: Hang or position the lights 6 to 12 inches above the top of the plant. Adjust as the plant grows.
Timing: Use a simple timer to provide 12 to 14 hours of light per day. Consistency is important for the plant’s rhythm.
Duration: Don’t leave the lights on 24/7. Plants need a dark period for respiration, just like they would outdoors.

With good artificial light, your coleus will maintain compact growth and deep colors just as well as it would by a window.

Step-by-Step: Finding the Perfect Indoor Spot

Observe Your Space: For a few days, watch how sunlight moves through your rooms. Note where bright spots and shadows fall at different times.
Start with Indirect Light: Place your coleus in a spot that gets bright, indirect light for most of the day, like near an east-facing window.
Monitor for Two Weeks: Watch the plant closely. Is it maintaining its color? Is new growth compact?
Adjust as Needed: If you see signs of legginess, move it to a brighter location. If you see any bleaching or scorching, move it back or diffuse the light with a curtain.
Rotate Regularly: Every time you water, give the pot a quarter turn. This ensures all sides of the plant get equal light and prevents it from leaning toward the window.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming “Low Light” Means “No Light”: Coleus are often labeled as shade plants, but deep indoor shade is too dark. They always need a good amount of bright light.
Not Adjusting for Season: Forgetting to move the plant with the changing seasons is a common reason for sudden leaf scorch in summer or legginess in winter.
Ignoring the Plant’s Signals: The signs of light stress are clear. Act on them quickly to prevent permenant damage.
Using the Wrong Bulbs: A regular desk lamp won’t help. Invest in a proper grow light if natural light is limited.

FAQ: Coleus Indoor Lighting

Can coleus live in low light?

While they are tolerant of lower light than some flowering plants, true low light will result in poor growth. They need at least “medium” to “bright” indirect light to look their best. A dark corner is not suitable.

How many hours of light do coleus need?

Aim for 6 to 8 hours of bright, indirect light daily. Under grow lights, 12 to 14 hours is ideal to compensate for the lower intensity compared to the sun.

Why are my coleus leaves losing color?

This is almost always a light issue. Insufficient light causes colors to fade to green. Surprisingly, sometimes too much harsh sun can also bleach colors. Assess your light conditions and adjust the plant’s position.

Can I put my coleus in direct sun?

It depends. Gentle morning sun from an east window is usually fine and can even enhance colors. Hot afternoon sun from a south or west window will likely scorch the delicate leaves, especially in summer. It’s generally safer to stick with bright, indirect light.

Do coleus need a grow light?

They don’t need one if you have a suitable window. But if your home is naturally dim, or you want to grow them in an interior room, a grow light is an excellent solution and will keep your plant very healthy.

Will my coleus get leggy in winter?

It can, due to the weaker, shorter days. Combat this by moving it to the brightest window you have for the winter, and consider supplementing with a grow light to maintain compact growth until spring returns.

Mastering the light needs for your coleus is the single most important thing you can do for its health. By providing that sweet spot of bright, indirect light—whether from a window or a bulb—you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular display of foliage that lasts for years. Pay attention to your plant’s cues and don’t be afraid to move it around until you find its happy place. With the right light, every leaf will show its full, intended beauty.