The bees and some of the butterflies have been so busy enjoying the flowers on Coleus the past couple summers, I've quit removing them after decades of snipping them. I can't tell any difference in the growth, and they just keep trying to develop new flowers anyway if you cut the old ones off. I am keeping them deadheaded though, the ones that have gotten that far into flowering. Just wish the flowers matched some of the leaves better. What do you think about Coleus flowers?

The bigger plants are saved from cuttings from last year's plants. The smaller ones are new this year. (And not growing in the lawn, I just mulched beds with grass a few days ago.) Had a pretty yellow one with red edging but it's not growing (in any location) like it did last year.

Purple: Love your Coleus! Those in photo's 5 and 9 look similar to a some that I used to have. I haven't grown Coleus in a long time but I used to grow them in containers beneath other plants as well as in flower beds. I think next spring I may buy a few plants, and also sow some seeds!

Edited to add: I've always pinched the tips to allow for bushier plants. It seems if I let them grow without pinching, they become tall and leggy.

very nice selection!!... my ocd makes me pinch off the flowers even though they do just keep coming most of the time.. will usually stop that in sept and just let them go.. and don't bother taking cuttings off those coleus.. usually means the cuttings will flower shortly and won't last the winter .. I think they take away from the look as well... the colors are usually off compared to the foliage .. seems if I pinch them often & early enough they won't set flowers.. or at least in prior years it does seem to help.. this year with my bum ankle.. they are a bunch out there flowering now just have to ignore them

Saw a hummingbird visiting Coleus flowers yesterday. Very cool!

that is!!!

Those are absolutely beautiful!
I always pinch off all the flowers ASAP. Coleus not grown for the flowers. If the seeds set the plant's habit is to die because they have finished their purpose to reproduce.
Coleus do not come true to the parent plant, but if you let the seeds mature at the end of season save them and plant inside about February. You may get some unique plants that are your own new cultivar.
I used to have folks tell me to not look at a picture because it had flowers on it.

Sidney

Beautiful plants.Some look familier.

I am done with pinching now.. that's for sure.. after not being able to keep up with it. I couldn't even begin to try now.. too much weeding to catch up on

Coleus are tender perennials and do not die after setting seed like true annuals, which is why it's possible to save them over winter. I wasn't trying to dictate what anyone else should do, just discussing what each person is doing and what they think about it. By all means the flowers should be removed by anyone who doesn't want or like them on their plants, which is part of the fun of gardening - doing it the way you want.

After seeing so many beautiful visitors to these flowers, I no longer want to remove them. I think they should be mentioned more often in lists of butterfly/hummingbird nectar plants. Most of the perennials I have are nectar plants so it seems contrary to remove something they find so dear after they've been "attracted" to my yard.

I have had some poop out after flowering

I cut the flower stem off, I just like the look without the flower, and they seem to be bushier when I remove the flowers.

I wouldn't mind if somebody developed some flowerless Coleus. Those would be mentally easier to deal with for everyone!

Tubs o' Coleus

very nice.. I have to grow more perilla

My fav Coleus patch this week:


Coleus 'Florida Sun Jade' & other plants:


Here's Perilla 'Magilla' in mostly shade (with Persian shield, Strobilanthes dyerianus):


Perilla 'Magilla' is directly behind the Caladiums, and in front of the big elephant ears on the other side of the fence. It will get tall either way, but in more sun, it's primarily burgundy. The patch on the other side of the fence was planted much later, from a cutting about 3 months ago: