35 Stunning Coleus Varieties to Color Your Garden

Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) are renowned for their dazzling foliage, available in a breathtaking spectrum of colors, patterns, and leaf shapes. With over 1,500 named cultivars and more than 300 species, coleus offers a show-stopping addition to containers, beds, and shady garden corners. This guide introduces 35 unique coleus varieties, highlights their distinctive attributes, and provides expert advice for selecting, planting, and caring for these vibrant beauties.

What Is Coleus?

Coleus refers to a group of tender perennials in the mint family (Lamiaceae) primarily grown for their highly decorative foliage. Originally native to Southeast Asia, coleus thrives in warm climates and comes in a range of growth habits—upright, trailing, ruffled, or compact. While most coleus are grown as annuals in cooler regions, they can be perennial in USDA zones 11 and above.

Whether you’re looking for sun-tolerant varieties, shade lovers, compact fillers, or dramatic statement plants, there’s a coleus to match every garden style.

Why Grow Coleus?

• Eye-catching Foliage: Vibrant patterns in red, burgundy, pink, lime, gold, purple, and green.
• Versatility: Suitable for beds, borders, containers, hanging baskets, and as indoor houseplants.
• Low Maintenance: Quick to grow, easy to propagate, and relatively pest-resistant.
• Season-long Color: Unlike many annuals, coleus provides non-stop color from spring through frost.

35 Standout Coleus Varieties

The world of coleus is vast, but these 35 cultivars are especially notable for their color, vigor, and appeal:

Wizard® Series

• Wizard® Rose: Low-growing, perfect for borders or edging. Leaves feature eye-catching pink centers, creamy white mid-zones, and green margins for a cheerful look.
• Wizard® Jade: Creamy white centers with medium-green borders; ideal for serene, elegant container combinations alongside white alyssum or begonias.
• Wizard® Velvet Red: Deep wine-red leaves for a bold color pop, compact habit perfect for mass plantings.
• Wizard® Coral Sunrise: Coral pink and green patterning, reliably uniform, and excellent for mass color effect.

Kong® Series

• Kong® Red: Huge leaves with a dramatically dark burgundy center, magenta veins, and chartreuse-green edges; a true statement plant for pots and shady garden beds.
• Kong® Rose: Similar to Kong® Red but with more vivid pink centers, large green margins, and occasional white highlights depending on sun exposure.
• Kong® Mosaic: Splashes of pink, red, and green in a randomized mosaic pattern, giving each plant a unique appearance.
• Kong® Salmon Pink: Blush-pink centers fade to bright green edges, with deeply veined large foliage.

Classic and Popular Varieties

• Big Red Judy: Large, slightly pointed leaves in vivid red hues. Readily available and fabulous for high-contrast displays with golden or chartreuse plants.
• Campfire: Bright orange foliage, one of the rarest coleus colors, lighting up beds and containers.
• Electric Lime: Neon lime-green foliage, excellent in mixed containers for a bold contrast.
• Black Dragon: Deep, almost black-maroon ruffled leaves with subtle red centers, giving a dramatic gothic flair.
• Fishnet Stockings: Pale green foliage dramatically netted with deep purple veins, evoking the look of patterned hosiery.
• Wasabi: Bright chartreuse leaves with frilly edges, vigorous and sun-tolerant for a strong pop in any design.
• Redhead: Pure, saturated red foliage, compact and upright; brilliant for mass plantings.
• Chocolate Covered Cherry: A blend of rich burgundy edged in lime and pink centers, resembling its dessert namesake.
• Carefree Beauty: Feathered creamy yellow centers radiate into cranberry red and green margins, with an exotic, almost tropical feel.
• Alabama Sunset: Flame-red, orange, and golden yellow leaves that glow in light, making it a star in containers or borders.
• Henna: Golden-green, extremely frilled leaves tinged in burgundy for an artisanal, textured look.
• Pineapple Splash: Vibrant yellow-green with white mottling, compact habit suits smaller arrangements.

Trailing & Unique-Leaf Varieties

• Trailing Plum: Cascading habit with purple-plum leaves, making it a great choice for hanging baskets or as a spiller in pots.
• Dipt in Wine: Large leaves with deep burgundy centers, green edges, and unique wine-colored splotches.
• Freckles: Green leaves speckled with burgundy “freckles” randomly splashed across each leaf blade.
• Rainbow Mixed: A classic seed mix, offering a variety of colors and leaf shapes in one packet, great for experimentation.
• Inky Fingers: Deep purple, hand-shaped leaves with green margins, adding a quirky touch to the garden.

Sun-Tolerant Varieties

• Solar Sunrise: Orange-red leaves with bright yellow edges, bred for sun and heat tolerance.
• Solar Flare: Flame-red centers and golden-green margins; performs well in full sun without fading.
• Sun Chocolate: Deep brown-maroon foliage, holding its color even in direct sun.

Ruffled and Textured Varieties

• Frills and Spills: Dramatic, deeply ruffled green leaves with purple underlay; vigorous and great for texture.
• Inferno: Bright, glowing orange-red leaves with pronounced serrated and ruffled edges.
• Mariposa: Large, butterfly-shaped leaves marbled with red, pink, and creamy yellow.

Compact and Edging Varieties

• Wizard® Golden: Small, upright plants with pure golden-green leaves, perfect for small pots or edging.
• Wizard® Mosaic: Leaf patterning similar to Kong® Mosaic but more compact; mixes well with annuals like calibrachoa and alyssum.
• Fairway Mosaic: Miniature, multicolored plants for tiny containers or fairy gardens.
• Sunset Boulevard: Compact growth with intense sunset-hued foliage—reds, oranges, and yellows blending together beautifully.

Choosing the Right Coleus

When selecting coleus for your garden, consider the following criteria:

• Sun or Shade: Some varieties, like Wasabi or Solar Flare, are bred for sun. Most coleus will thrive in shade or partial shade, but check the plant labels for sun tolerance.
• Growth Habit: Trailing types are great for hanging baskets, while upright cultivars make excellent background or center plants in mixed containers.
• Leaf Size & Shape: Giant-leaved Kong® types make a bold statement; others like Fairway Mosaic are petite and delicate.
• Color Palette: Mix and match for contrast or harmony. Pair bold reds with chartreuse, or go monochromatic for sophisticated elegance.

Growing and Caring for Coleus

Cultivating coleus is straightforward, making them ideal for both beginner and expert gardeners.

• Soil: Light, rich, and well-draining soil. Coleus dislike wet feet; water only when the top inch of soil is dry.
• Light: Morning sun and afternoon shade are ideal for vibrant leaf color. Full sun can bleach or burn some varieties but intensifies color in sun-tolerant types.
• Water: Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. Overwatering invites root rot.
• Fertilizer: Feed monthly during active growth with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
• Pinching: Regularly pinch stem tips to promote bushiness and prevent flowers from forming, as flowering can reduce leaf vigor.
• Pests & Diseases: Watch for aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. Avoid overwatering to prevent stem and root rot.

Design Ideas for Coleus

• Mixed Borders: Use coleus as a foliage contrast among annuals and perennials.
• Container Gardens: Group several coleus varieties for a vibrant patio display.
• Hanging Baskets: Trailing types offer cascading color.
• Edging: Compact cultivars define paths or garden bed edges.
• Indoor Color: Grow smaller coleus in pots as living houseplants in bright, indirect light.

Table: Quick Comparison of Top Coleus Varieties

Propagation Tips

• From Cuttings: Snip healthy, non-flowering stems and root them in water or moist soil for rapid multiplication.
• From Seed: Sow indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost. Seeds are tiny and need light to germinate, so lightly press onto soil surface.
• Overwintering: Take cuttings at season’s end and grow them indoors over winter for next year’s garden.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

If you adore dynamic color and texture, coleus is an absolute must-have. With new hybrids introduced each year, there’s always a fresh color combination to discover—from classic reds to electrifying chartreuses and dramatic deep maroons. Try several varieties, mix sun and shade types, and enjoy this versatile foliage superstar all season long. Whether you’re a beginner or a devoted plant collector, the sheer diversity of coleus guarantees the perfect fit for any garden or container design.

Author

Anjali Sayee

 

Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.

Read full bio of Anjali Sayee