Coleus under lights

Now that Spring is more than just a wistful thought, gardeners who overwinter their tender perennials indoors will be taking stock of their plants and planning their summer containers. A Coleus that has wintered inside a house may not look like it did when it came in last fall. If it was under bright grow lights and not too far from the light source it may not be the worse for wear, with fairly bright color and stocky growth. After a repotting and a trim it will, with some hardening off, be ready for its summer home. If your coleus plant has spent the winter in a window, too far from the light source, or had to compete with other plants for space under lights, it may be pale, spindly, blooming, or all three. Can this coleus be saved, or should you start over with a new one?
If you make the choice to try and rehabilitate your coleus, you first have to assess the condition of the plant. Look at the roots. White, healthy roots should be netted throughout the root ball. Signs of trouble are brown and/or scarce roots, slime or moss, and a musty or rotten smell. If any of these problems exist, try to remove as much of the spoiled soil as possible and repot the coleus in fresh soil, making sure not to over water the coleus.
Next, check the plant for pests. Look on the undersides of the leaves and in the leaf axils (where the leaves join the stem) for tufts of cotton, tiny webs, sooty and/or sticky substance, or the insects themselves. If you find pests you can remove them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. If it is not too large, you can give the whole coleus plant a gentle bath in tepid water with a few drops of dish detergent added. Cover the roots or pot with plastic wrap and only submerge the foliage.
The next step, if neccessary, is to give the coleus a trim, especially if it is blooming or has developed a lanky appearance stretching for light.
Finally, if you haven't already, repot your coleus. Fresh soil, a larger container, and some time-release fertilizer will get your coleus off to a great start.
Now that your coleus has been inspected, cleaned, groomed, repotted, and fertilized it is ready to begin getting gradually accustomed to the outside world again!