It's probably just a hint of their color. But you should be watering them occasionally with a dilute one-quarter strength solution of nutrients that include trace elements.

MM

I agree with MM. The older they get, the more of their true color you'll see. They are one of my favorite annuals. I get several different kinds each spring.
Good luck with yours and enjoy!

Kat

I have two types started and one en route from Patrick Studio. My first year with coleus. Ample shade here and lots of containers should mean many happy seedlings. So far NOttingham Lace (the coleus I posted about) and Splashdown both from Plants of Distinction. And Festive Dance from Patrick Studio. whee! We gardeners sure love listing off our 'babies' don't we. (with parental pride too).

TripleB, most of mine are planted in all morning sun. They get it from 7am until 1:30pm or so. The ones I get do fine with that. The one I had a problem with was 'Lava'. The larger leaves tended to fade a lot. But you'd be surprised on how much sun they can take, especially in the northern parts. If you have areas with just morning sun, most will do fine. In fact, they get even bigger than the ones I have in the shadier areas.

Kat

coleus grow well under standard flourescent shop lights ... 4 to 6 inches above the plants ...

you will soon know if your sunlight is enough ... as they will start elongating/stretching for lack of light ...

not enough light will also give you plants with washed out color ... more light.. better color ... i understand yours are real young. ... only time will tell ...

they root like weeds... when they get too tall ... slice them off with a razor ... adn stick in fresh rotting soiless mix.. and cover.. and you will have sooooo many plant by june.. that you will be giving them away ...

ken

thank you all! seems i am adding a small coleus collection to my addiction.

I started pallisandra coleus, which are supposed to be nearly black. The seedlings are small, but are starting to get darker in color as they grow.

Yeah they start small and mine are healthy enough but they sure haven't grown any in a while.