- Type: Annual
- Light: Sun to part shade
- Height: 12 to 24 inches
- Spacing: 9 to 15 inches
Coleus has brilliant leaves that enliven garden beds, especially when combined with begonias, salvia, and other plants for contrast. It used to be that coleus was considered a shade plant, but over the years, plant breeders have selected varieties especially suited to full sun. Plants are avaialbe in a wide range of color, with leaves of many sizes and shapes.
Uniform plants branch at the base so that even one plant makes a sizeable show. Plant several for an easy sweep of color. Also eye-catching in baskets and containers, coleus proves its worth in warm weather with long-lasting color that is appreciated everywhere, but especially in areas where rain pounds summer flowers. The great thing about the colorful leaves is that they stay colorful for a long, long time.
Plant after all danger of frost is past. Space transplants 9 to 15 inches apart. Pinch off the flowers or leggy shoots when they appear to keep plants bushy. Keep soil evenly moist.