‘Black Dragon’
Large, puffy leaves have dark, smoky-purple edges and fiery-red centers. Grows 12 to 18 inches tall.
‘Chocolate Mint’
Velvety-chocolate leaves have bright, mint-green edges. Best in partial or full shade. Grows 10 inches tall.
‘Kong Mosaic’
Huge leaves have a unique pattern of bright green, crimson, and cream. Prefers full shade. Grows 18 inches tall.
‘Limelight’
Bright, lime-green coleus has thick, scalloped leaves. For a wonderful contrast, plant next to darker varieties like ‘Black Dragon’ or ‘Palisandra’. Grows 12 inches tall.
‘Picture Perfect Rose’
Large leaves have rose centers and are edged in light green. Grows 36 inches tall.
How to start coleus from seed:
Coleus started from seed are typically long-day bloomers, which means they set flowers and become less colorful when the long days of summer arrive.
Sow seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the expected last frost in your area. Fill a 4-inch pot with sterile potting soil, top the soil with a thin layer of sifted sphagnum moss, then bottom-water until the moss is moist to the touch. Sprinkle the tiny coleus seeds sparingly on top of the moss.
Until the seeds germinate, place a clear plastic bag over the pot to retain moisture. Keep the soil warm (at least 70°F) until the seeds sprout.
All coleus seedlings are light green, but they’ll show their true colors as they mature. After the seedlings send out their first true leaves, carefully prick them from the soil and move them into separate pots.
Coleus plants are sensitive to cold and will quickly succumb to frost, so don’t transplant your coleus until all danger of frost is past. The plants prefer nights near 70° F and days around 80° F.