Coleus damage - Ask Extension
Coleus stems are cut off (raggity not cleanly) close to ground but leaves are not eaten. Coleus planted in the ground, in planters and in tall plante...
Knowledgebase
Coleus damage #940505
Asked July 25, 2026, 4:14 PM EDT
Coleus stems are cut off (raggity not cleanly) close to ground but leaves are not eaten. Coleus planted in the ground, in planters and in tall planters on the deck. Other vegetation in the planters is left alone.
Anoka County Minnesota
Expert Response
Ragged, torn leaves are usually deer damage. Bunnies make a sharp cut. Coleus is considered deer resistant. They don’t like the taste but deer will eat any vegetation if they are hungry. They probably thought the leafy texture might be tasty. The lime green coleus are probably more attractive than the purple varieties.
https://www.epicgardening.com/do-deer-eat-coleus/
Unfortunately, one bite is rarely enough.
https://www.epicgardening.com/do-deer-eat-coleus/
Unfortunately, one bite is rarely enough.
It’s not deer. Some of the coleus are in raised planters by our deck next to the house. The creature is picking out the coleus only and leaving begonias, hosta, and other misc plants . The coleus are cut off near the ground and the leaves are uneaten. Snip snip snip.
Plus some of the stems are very hefty.
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-------- Original Message --------
On Saturday, 07/25/26 at 15:34 Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Plus some of the stems are very hefty.
Sent from Proton Mail for iOS.
-------- Original Message --------
On Saturday, 07/25/26 at 15:34 Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
To figure out the culprit flour or some kind of powder can be sprinkled on the ground next to the plants and out 3-4 ft . If the animal doing the grazing comes back again they should leave prints that can be identified. A wildlife cam can also be set up if spending the money is worth it to you.
