I've brought other coleus in the house and wintered them over successfully in my basement next to a bank of fluorescent lights hung vertically (mostly for overwintering my bay laurel tree and jasmine vine). Keeping it cool helps to offset the lower light intensity you'll find anywhere in most houses during the winter. Barring a similar setup, coleus (because it's relatively shade tolerant) might do well with a south- or west-facing window for the winter.

If your plant is large and has been in the ground, transplanting it to the pot might cause a fair amount of transplant shock. You might want to cut back the top considerably (to even out the remaining roots with the crown) or consider just rooting some cuttings instead of bringing the entire plant in. Coleus roots rather easily from cuttings--just cut the stem at an angle below a set of leaves and place the stem in moist potting medium--seed-starting mix works well. If you bring the entire plant in, you'll probably want to root cuttings in the spring anyway. Overwintering the main plant to use as a stock plant is perhaps a better goal than planning to have it look good enough to replant in the spring anyway.

I'd recommend gently and carefully hosing off the entire plant to remove as many pests as you can before bringing it in--and then be on the lookout for them. Good luck!

I have done it both ways...bring the whole plant indoors and start cuttings. Generally I prefer cuttings which I root in water. This makes it easy to swish the cuttings through soapy water several (many) times during the rooting period.

I am always amazed at how a perfectly healthy outdoor plant with no sign of insects....can show up with aphids or spider mites once it is brought indoors. No fun doing battle with those!

You might want to try it both ways. Take some cuttings and bring the whole plant indoors. Like Bitterwort, says...make sure you treat the whole plant for insects before you bring it indoors. And be prepared for it to look rather awful for awhile...wilting, leaf drop etc. The plant has to adjust to the new light situation. Kinda like the reverse of 'hardening off.'
Jan

Thanks to both of you for your suggestions. A couple of qustions, Bitterwort - the fluorescent bulbs you use are they just regular bulbs or do you use special plant light bulbs. And Jan, when you swish the cutting through soapy water, what ratio of soap to water do you use,and any special soap? Should I consider buying any bug spray to get rid of aphids or spider mites? If so any recommendations? Thanks once again!
Chris

I just use regular Cool White fluorescent tubes (the Utility tubes from Phillips' Alto collection--Home Depot), not special plant light bulbs. I'm now using fixtures that take T-8 bulbs (the narrower kind that give off more light), but I used to have T-12s and either would work for coleus. (Basically, get the bulbs with the highest lumens that are affordable and work in your fixture.) When using fluorescents as a light source, the goal is to get the light as close to the plants without touching (potential fire hazard). If you can do that by mounting the fixture horizontally, that's great.

I second what Jan says about being prepared for the plant to look awful for a while. But remember that if it comes through the winter with any leaves and with green stems you can use for rooting new plants, you've accomplished your purpose. Good luck!

I don't have a formula for my soapy water. A few drops of dish soap in a bowl of water. Suds it up and.... Swish, swish, swish, then rinse with plain water. Not very scientific!

Bug spray. Definitely not the kind that comes in an aerosol can. Most of those will do serious harm to the plant....probably the propellant causes the damage.

I spray the potted plants I bring in with a 10% ammonia solution. Again, not scientific. I do this several times before bringing the pot in. So far, so good. Haven't had a problem with aphids or spider mites doing this. I would think a good insecticidal soap would work well and have the least 'chemical' impact.
Jan

Thanks once again for all your help! I'm looking forward to the process of trying to save this plant, although I'm now prepared for it to not look very good in the near future. Come spring, hopefully it will look better!
Chris

This year is my first experience with Kong coleus. From what I have heard (can't remember the source) unlike other varieties of coleus the "Kong" cannot be cut and rooted in water. I am not sure about cuttings in potting medium or if they would be successful either.

Anyone had any first-hand experience with this?

I was planning on overwintering two fairly large plants inside. Does anyone know if I should cut them back?