Most coleus need shade, but some need full sun. Depends on which kind you have. It's safe to put them directly under the lights. Fluorescent tubes don't compare to sunlight outdoors like I mentioned before in your other post, it's more like bright shade. The end of the tubes provides less light than the center, so I would put them near the ends.

one coleus; moving over to the side. Thanks! Actually I THOUGHT that might be the case, the flourescents being less that real sun. Perfect.
Thanks again.

3-B,

I cannot possibly imagine giving the coleuses too much light indoors, unless you are using a 1000watt HPS or MH lights AND you place the coleuses too close.

I have grown varieties coleus for years in planter boxes on my front porch, which got partial sun. The plants which got the most light were ALWAYS the prettiest. I had considered growing some indoors, but decided I couldn't give them as much light as they could get outdoors.

I think you should put half the coleus in the brightest spot under your flourescents, and the other in the "safe" darker area. I would bet that, after you see the difference, you will go out and buy another light fixture!

Outdoor shaded areas are MUCH brighter than you are thinking. Borrow a light meter and see. I did not grow them indoors BECAUSE of the lack of light! If you think a flourescent shoplight is anywhere near the output of the full sun, you have an incredible surprise coming.

Zink

Yes, put them under the lights---they do beautifully there and seem to take as much light as you can give them. In fact I cannot grow them indoors at all without the use of flourescents. I use two t8 bulbs for 11 hours per day; they are under the center of the lights (the brightest part). Blooms are even popping out! Happy growing :).

Give them as much fluorescent lights as you can spare - they will love it! With less, they get spindly and leggy and hideously ugly. Voice of experience here...