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Coleus - Gorgeous, Versatile and Easy to Grow

'Pineapple Splash' Coleus - photo by Jan Johnsen

I have had a love affair with coleus ever since I grew it in plastic pots on a windowsill in a small New York city apartment as a teenager.

Back then there were maybe 6 varieties of coleus available and I got mine as cuttings from adult friends. They were my introduction to plants ( followed by the hanging 'spider plant' - remember those denizens of all 'homey' restaurants in the 1970s?....)

Kong Coleus - photo by Jan Johnsen


Well, I have grown up and so has coleus...

The colorful foliage of coleus is making a comeback as breeders introduce new varieties to supplement the old faves.  The diversity of foliage color, leaf shape, and growth habit  - and the fact that coleus tolerates both full sun and part shade  - make them a great addition to any garden.

Coleus are great both in beds and containers...There are so many varieties to choose from - where to start?

I say look at 'Pineapple Splash', 'Inky Fingers' and 'Kong' coleus...Yellow, red and multi colored, in that order....

Inky Fingers Coleus from White Flower Farm

You can certainly try more but these three are a good bet. Coleus will overwinter inside and they will root from cuttings that you take...Easy! Easy!  And that is why I love coleus so much.  I like Easy...(perhaps that is why I lived in New Orleans for several years - 'The Big Easy'.)

My fave right now is Under the Sea Bone Fish Coleus from Hortcouture. Great Name.

Under the Sea Bone Fish Coleus


They mix well with others too:


Kong with Angelonia 'Wedgwood Blue' - Jan Johnsen


This lights up an Early Fall evening for sure....Jan Johnsen

Check out my other posts on Coleus - type in 'Coleus' in the search box to the right.....

question: is the plural of 'coleus' - colei?
















This post first appeared on Serenity In The Garden, please read the originial post: here

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Coleus - Gorgeous, Versatile and Easy to Grow

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