Top 11 Full Sun Coleus Varieties for Vibrant, Sunny Gardens
Bold, heat-resistant cultivars bring long-lasting color without demanding extra care.

If you think coleus is just for shady corners, think again. With advances in breeding, many coleus varieties are now sun-tolerant and perfect for bringing vivid foliage to the brightest spots in your garden. In this guide, we explore 11 exceptional full sun coleus varieties, their unique features, and expert growing tips to help you create a garden that dazzles from spring to fall.
Can Coleus Grow in Full Sun?
Traditionally known as a shade plant, coleus was often used to liven up dark, leafy patches in the garden. However, newer coleus varieties have been bred specifically for sun tolerance. These sun-friendly coleus thrive in bright locations, producing richer, more intense leaf colors than their shade-loving predecessors.
That said, even sun-tolerant coleus benefit from some protection during the harshest midday hours, especially in extremely hot climates. Morning sun and afternoon dappled shade are ideal. In full sun, expect the reds, pinks, and burgundies to become particularly vibrant, adding dramatic visual interest to your garden beds or containers.
Sun-Friendly Coleus Varieties
Without further ado, let’s explore 11 outstanding sun coleus varieties, each offering unique color palettes, growth habits, and landscape uses.
1. Pink Chaos
- Height/Spread: 18″ × 18″
- Foliage: Vivid magenta center fading to burgundy, edged with a fine green margin. In full sun, white tints recede, and pinks intensify for a true explosion of color.
- Best Use: Pots, borders, and beds where flowers aren’t essential—the striking leaves do all the work.
2. ColorBlaze Wicked Witch
- Height/Spread: Up to 3 feet tall, 2 feet wide
- Foliage: Deep burgundy leaves rimmed in brilliant chartreuse, often with dramatic serrated edging.
- Best Use: Adds drama to mass plantings, containers, or as a bold focal point in the landscape.
3. ColorBlaze Golden Dreams
- Height/Spread: 18–36″ tall, up to 24″ wide
- Foliage: Chartreuse to lime-green with striking burgundy veins that become more prominent in full sun.
- Best Use: Brightens dark plant groupings; ideal for modern gardens seeking a touch of neon.
4. Henna
- Height/Spread: 30–36″ tall, 18–24″ wide
- Foliage: Finely serrated leaves in copper, gold, and green tones accented by a rich burgundy underside, giving a glowing contrast in the sun.
- Best Use: Excellent for large containers or as a tall border accent plant.
5. ColorBlaze El Brighto
- Height/Spread: 24–36″ tall, 24–36″ wide
- Foliage: Dazzling blend of lime, cherry, lime-green, and canary-yellow, with colorful splashes becoming more vivid in sunlight.
- Best Use: Works as a solo specimen or mixed with ornamental grasses and annuals.
6. ColorBlaze Velvet Mocha
- Height/Spread: 20–30″ tall, 18–24″ wide
- Foliage: Luxurious, almost-black, velvety leaves with a striking presence enhanced by bright sun. May reveal hints of burgundy in intense light.
- Best Use: Perfect foil for lighter-leaved plants; adds richness to sun containers and beds.
7. Wasabi
- Height/Spread: 18–36″ tall, 24–36″ wide
- Foliage: Bright chartreuse, broad leaves that retain vibrancy and structure even in strong sunlight.
- Best Use: Ideal as a backdrop for vivid flowers or dark foliage; works well in both formal and wild settings.
8. Versa Crimson Gold
- Height/Spread: 18–24″ tall, 18–24″ wide
- Foliage: Rich crimson centers with broad gold margins; sun brings out extra intensity in both colors.
- Best Use: Adds definition to mixed borders and works beautifully in foundation plantings.
9. Kingswood Torch
- Height/Spread: Up to 36″ tall
- Foliage: Deep red and purple leaves outlined with a fine green margin—a fiery effect that glows in sunlight.
- Best Use: Stunning as a bold specimen or in large containers.
10. Redhead
- Height/Spread: 30–36″ tall, 24–36″ wide
- Foliage: Consistent, vivid red color across the entire plant, deepening to burgundy in brightest sun.
- Best Use: Excellent accent among manicured evergreens or as a mass planting for continuous color.
11. Salsa Verde
- Height/Spread: 14–28″ tall, 18–24″ wide
- Foliage: Bright, crisp chartreuse leaves; fresh and lively, even in full sun when others fade.
- Best Use: Brilliant pairing with purple or red coleus for striking contrast.
Sun Coleus Growing Tips
- Site Selection: Choose a location that gets at least 6 hours of sun, preferably morning or dappled afternoon sun for optimal color development and leaf health.
- Soil: Plant in well-draining, moderately fertile soil. Coleus tolerate a range of soil types but perform best when kept consistently moist—not soggy.
- Watering: Full sun coleus require more water than those in shade. Water deeply, aiming to keep the soil slightly moist during the hottest periods.
- Fertilization: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting time. Supplement with diluted liquid feed every 3–4 weeks for lush growth.
- Mulching: Add a layer of mulch to conserve moisture and moderate root temperature.
- Pinching and Pruning: Pinch stems regularly to encourage bushiness and prevent flowering, which can sap energy from foliage production.
- Protection: In regions with harsh afternoon sunlight, provide temporary shade during the peak of summer.
Benefits of Growing Sun-Tolerant Coleus
- Color Variety: Sun coleus produce intensified leaf colors, especially reds, pinks, and burgundies, under direct sunlight.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, most varieties are easy to care for, needing only regular water and occasional fertilizer.
- Versatile Landscaping: These varieties work in beds, borders, containers, mixed plantings, and as bold solo specimens.
- Deer Resistant: Coleus foliage is typically avoided by deer, making them an excellent choice for gardens in wildlife-heavy areas.
How Light Affects Coleus Color
The amount of sunlight coleus receives can dramatically influence its colors:
- Full Shade: Greens, whites, and yellows predominate, with softer overall appearance.
- Partial Sun: Brings out all colors evenly; ideal for complex bicolor or tricolor varieties.
- Full Sun: Reds, pinks, and burgundies are richest; contrast between leaf veins and margins sharpens, creating dramatic focal points.
Design Ideas for Sun Coleus
- Mixed Containers: Pair vibrant coleus varieties with trailing flowers, ornamental grasses, or bold annuals for show-stopping container gardens.
- Mass Plantings: Use a single variety for a blanket of color, or alternate contrasting varieties in sweeping drifts.
- Accent Plants: Place a single large coleus in a spot that needs a dramatic color boost.
- Edging and Borders: Compact, sun-tolerant coleus make excellent low borders for sunny paths and beds.
Table: Quick Reference—Sun Coleus Varieties
Variety | Height | Sun Tolerance | Foliage Color | Best Use |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pink Chaos | 18″ | Full Sun | Magenta, burgundy, green | Containers, borders |
ColorBlaze Wicked Witch | 36″ | Full Sun | Burgundy, chartreuse | Focal point, massing |
ColorBlaze Golden Dreams | 36″ | Full Sun | Lime, burgundy veins | Mixed plantings |
Henna | 36″ | Full Sun | Copper, gold, burgundy | Containers, borders |
ColorBlaze El Brighto | 36″ | Full Sun | Lime, cherry, yellow | Specimen, mixed |
ColorBlaze Velvet Mocha | 30″ | Full Sun | Burgundy, black | Contrast, containers |
Wasabi | 36″ | Full Sun | Chartreuse | Backdrops |
Versa Crimson Gold | 24″ | Full Sun | Crimson, gold | Massing, edging |
Kingswood Torch | 36″ | Full Sun | Red, purple, green | Specimen |
Redhead | 36″ | Full Sun | Red, burgundy | Accent, massing |
Salsa Verde | 28″ | Full Sun | Chartreuse | Pairing, contrast |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can coleus really tolerate full sun?
Many modern coleus varieties are bred specifically for full sun and will thrive in at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. However, even sun coleus appreciate some relief during the hottest part of the afternoon in hot climates.
How do I keep sun coleus looking their best?
Regular watering, mulching, and occasional feeding will keep your plants lush. Pinch flower spikes and trim leggy stems to encourage dense, bushy growth.
Do sun coleus attract pollinators or pests?
Coleus is primarily grown for its foliage, not flowers, so it isn’t a major pollinator plant. Fortunately, coleus tends to be deer and rabbit resistant, though occasional insect pests like aphids or whiteflies may appear.
Can sun coleus be grown from seed?
Yes! Coleus seed is widely available and easy to start. For best results, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost and transplant after the weather warms.
What is the best way to overwinter sun coleus?
Coleus is frost-sensitive and usually grown as an annual. If you want to save your favorite plants, take stem cuttings in late summer and root them indoors, or bring potted coleus inside for the winter.
Conclusion
Sun-loving coleus have revolutionized the way gardeners use foliage in the landscape. With stunning color choices and robust, sun-tolerant growth, these varieties offer endless design possibilities for beds, borders, and containers. Select your favorites from this list and enjoy effortless color in even the sunniest corners of your garden!
References
- https://www.epicgardening.com/full-sun-coleus-varieties/
- https://www.epicgardening.com/coleus/
- https://shop.epicgardening.com/products/rainbow-blend-coleus-seeds
- https://www.pinterest.com/pin/11-full-sun-coleus-varieties-for-sunny-gardens–331577591333892122/
- https://www.ohiotropics.com/2022/06/02/coleus-varieties-for-sun-or-shade/

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