There are well over 1,000 types of coleus on the market today, in an overwhelming selection of colors, sizes, and shapes. Here are a few favorites to try:
'Alabama Suset'
Leaves are sun-ripe peach with hints of burgundy-pink and yellow. Produces few, if any, flowers. Pair with red salvia or impatiens. Grows 24 to 36 inches tall.
‘Amora’
Scalloped leaves are edged in green with pink (almost white) interiors. Grows 16 to 18 inches tall.
‘Burgundy Sun’
This SuperSun cultivar loves sun and heat. Large, heart-shaped leaves are deep burgundy. Maintains color all season. Grows 36 inches tall.
‘Freckles’
Leaves have freckled patterns in yellow, bronze, and orange. Colors are most striking in partial shade. Grows 10 to 14 inches tall.
‘Garnet Robe’
Cascading form with heart-shaped leaves of deep purple-red fringed with chartreuse. Grows 12 to 18 inches tall.
‘India Frills’
Prized for its carpetlike habit and tiny green leaves tinged with purple. Superb for hanging baskets. Grows 15 inches tall.
‘Inky Fingers’
Tiny leaves are lime-green with deep purple centers. Excellent for containers. Grows 12 to 24 inches tall.
‘Palisandra’
Broad, velvety leaves are near-black with hints of burgundy and maroon. Grown from seed or propagated by cuttings. Grows 18 inches tall.
‘Peridot’
Leaves are bright chartreuse and look best when combined with other masses of color. Grows 15 to 18 inches tall.
‘Plum Parfait’
This SuperSun coleus has ruffled, lancelike leaves that start out plum-purple and develop pink edging as the summer progresses. Grows 36 inches tall.
‘Rattlesnake’
Leaves have an unusual blend of yellow, red, and cream in dramatic patterns. Grows 24 to 30 inches tall.
‘Red Ruffles’
This Sunlover coleus is heat-tolerant, with bright red and burgundy leaves. Produces few, if any, flowers. Grows 18 to 24 inches tall.
‘Sedona’
Rusty orange leaves have hints of red and pink; the undersides of the leaves are plum-colored. Grows 12 to 24 inches tall.
‘Sky Fire’
This sun-tolerant cultivar has jagged wine-red leaves with lime-green ruffles. Blossoms are insignificant. Grows 12 to 18 inches tall.
‘Solar Eclipse’
A Solar variety bred for tolerance to the sun and summer heat, this coleus has serrated cherry-red leaves with black highlights and edging. Grows 18 to 24 inches tall.
‘Strawberry Drop’
This sun-tolerant, cascading coleus has tiny, closely arranged leaves of crimson and green with strawberrycream centers. Grows 8 to 12 inches tall.
‘The Flume’
This coleus has elongated leaves with vibrant patterns of pink, burgundy, and green. Great for containers. Grows 12 to 24 inches tall.
‘Watermelon’
Leaves have watermelon-pink interiors, with magenta veins on lime-green edges. Grows 10 inches tall.
‘Zebrina’
Bright green leaves are striped with pink, red, and cream. Grows 12 to 18 inches tall.