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When we talk about foliage superstars, coleus has to be at the top of the list. The breadth of options is vast and colorful. Depending on the garden center you’re at, you can choose from a rainbow of leaf patterns, colors, and shapes, as well as plant sizes. In this article, I’m going to share a few favorite coleus varieties, their standout characteristics, and where you should plant them.
Coleus is a tropical plant that’s native to parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia. Considered tender annuals in a cold climate, coleus plants can be used to complement other flowers and foliage in gardens and pots as a filler. Indeed many can stand alone as a thriller for container combos.
The main things to think about when choosing a coleus are height, width, and color. Some can be diminutive in size, while others can grow to be a few feet high.
Why grow different coleus varieties?
The answer to this question is color, pure and simple. There are so many different coleus varieties, it’s easy to find one that fits a color scheme. Many of the selections in this article are award winners from various plant trials in botanical gardens and arboretums because of how they’ve performed in gardens and containers.
Here are some other reasons to grow different coleus varieties:
- Grow a mix of coleus in window boxes, containers, or the garden.
- Coleus plants are generally deer resistant.
- This tender annual is pretty low maintenance.
- You can take cuttings of a favorite coleus to plant next year.
Coleus growing tips
Here are a few growing tips for your coleus:
- Coleus plants aren’t grown for their flowers. Pinch them at first sight to retain the abundance of leaves. (Though check the tag because some don’t need to be deadheaded.)
- Soil that’s too damp can lead to root rot. Make sure there are holes in your containers.
- Do not allow soil to dry out completely between watering.
- Pay attention to light conditions indicated on the plant tag.
I have divided the following list into two main categories: gardens and pots. It’s worth noting that even though a coleus is under the garden section, it can still be grown in a pot—you may just have to find a really big one to fit! Conversely, coleus recommended for pots can still be grown in the landscape.
The best coleus varieties for gardens
Plant these colorful annuals among perennials or anywhere you need a dash of color and interest in the garden. These varieties have an upright growth habit and will stand tall among their companions.
ColorBlaze Golden Dreams
This chartreuse, heat tolerant beauty with a web of red veins on its large leaves is a favorite of Jessica’s. In a humid climate, it will thrive in both sun and shade. In dry heat, the plant requires afternoon shade. Golden Dreams will grow to be about 24 to 40 inches (61 cm to 1 m) tall—that’s up to three feet!—and 18 inches to 3 feet (46 cm to 1 m) wide.
Trusty Rusty
This tall coleus variety with vigorous growth has coppery red leaves with a yellow border. Plant it in partial shade to full sun. It grows to be between 18 to 36 inches (.5 to 1 m) tall.
Electric Lime
Electric Lime has lush bright green foliage with vibrant yellow veining. This variety enjoys full sun and grows to be 14 to 28 inches (36 cm to .5 m). Seeds are available for this neon variety. Give it a head start indoors before planting it outdoors come spring.
Gay’s Delight
Gay’s Delight will handle sun or shade. This lime-green specimen has deep red/purple veining on the leaves. It grows to be about 2 to 3 feet high (about .5 to 1 m) and 12 to 16 inches (30 cm to 40.5 cm) wide.
ColorBlaze Sedona Sunset
Leaves for this fiery variety are a coppery orange and plants grow to be about 24 to 40 inches (.5 to 1 m). It can be planted in sun or shade.
The best coleus varieties for pots and borders
More diminutive in size, these coleus varieties will stand out as edging plants, but also as thrillers, fillers, or spillers (or all three!) in containers.
Under the Sea ‘Bone Fish’
The leaves of Bonefish, part of the Under the Sea line of coleus, are so unique you may not realize that what you’re looking at is a coleus. They almost look like living cartoons, with their exaggerated curves. Leaves are a vibrant fuchsia or deep magenta with chartreuse around the edges. Plant them in part sun to full shade and expect a height up to 8 to 14 inches (20 to 36 cm).
Premium Sun Coleus Coral Candy
I grew this vibrant coleus in two different container arrangements. Leaves on Coral Candy are long and slender. Splotches of fuchsia, orange, and deep burgundy are edged by neon green. Plants reach 10 to 16 inches (25 to 41 cm) and grow well in full sun to part shade.
ColorBlaze Mini Me Watermelon
Mini Me Watermelon has interesting leaves, but with less curves. It almost looks like the top of an oak leaf. Mini Me can be planted in sun or shade, and is heat tolerant. The eventual height is 12 to 20 inches (30 cm to .5 m).
Party Time Lime
Party time is a compact coleus variety that grows to be about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm). Plants don’t mind full sun and have shade tolerance. The foliage curls a bit and has yellowish centers with green leaf edges. The plant has a trailing habit, making it perfect for containers.
Main Street Rodeo Drive
Ruffled lobed leaves in a lime green hue are outlined in purple on Main Street Rodeo Drive. The plant retains its color better when it’s placed in the shade and will reach about 12 to 24 inches (30 cm to .5 m)
Scarlet Ibis
Scarlet ibis has more delicate, fingered leaves. Splotches of fuchsia or red fill the center, with vibrant green to gold around the scalloped edges. small containers, small mixed plantings, or as a summer border. It only reaches about 13 inches (33 cm).
Under the Sea Monkey Rust
Foliage on this Under the Sea coleus variety is very interesting—chartreuse foliage with deep red edges. Plants grow to about 18 inches (46 cm).
Under the Sea Sea Urchin Neon
The color pattern on this coleus is reminiscent of other varieties (vibrant green around the edges with hot pink inside), but it’s the leaf shape that makes it more unique. Leaves are long and slender, cascading over the side of a pot.
Main Street Beale Street
Main Street Beale Street is a gorgeous deep red coleus that came across my radar when it became an All-America Selections winner in 2020. It was the first coleus to receive this honor. Main Street Beale Street’s foliage doesn’t fade over the summer. It’s eventual height is 24 to 36 inches (.5 to 1 m).
Wizard Velvet Red
Fuzzy, soft-looking deep red leaves of this compact, mid-sized plant are lined with a chartreuse scalloped edge. Plant in an area with partial sun and shade. Plants will reach 12 to 14 inches (30 cm to 36cm).
Coleus Black Dragon
Frilly leaves in a deep purple hue look very soft to the touch. This annual grows to between 12 and 14 inches (30 to 36 cm).
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