Explore 20 stunning varieties of coleus plants. See pictures of sun-loving, shade, and rare types like kong and wizard coleus for your garden.
For ten years, I’ve gardened across the country, and few plants offer the instant, season-long color of coleus. I understand it can be overwhelming to find the right one.
This guide shows you 20 standout coleus varieties. You will learn how to choose the right one for your garden, whether you have a sunny border or a shady patio.
Coleus Basics: Sun and Shade
Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides), also known as painted nettle, is a tender perennial often grown as an annual. Its value comes from its vibrant, colorful foliage.
Many gardeners think of coleus as shade plants, but that is only part of the story. While many thrive in shade, numerous modern varieties flourish in full sun. The amount of light can change the foliage colors; more sun often intensifies burgundy tones.
When you choose a coleus, pay close attention to its light recommendations. Planting a shade variety in full sun can lead to scorched leaves.
20 Stunning Varieties of Coleus Plants
From low-growing borders to giant plants, there is a coleus for every garden need. Here are 20 of my favorite varieties.
Sun-Loving Coleus Varieties
These varieties handle direct sunlight, perfect for brightening up your sunny beds.
1. Campfire:
This variety features a vibrant, rust-orange color. It has a mounded growth habit, excellent for pots .
2. Wasabi:
This offers a pure shot of bright chartreuse-green. Its large, lobed leaves add bold texture .
3. Redhead:
This is a standout with bright, solid red foliage. It’s a vigorous grower that thrives in full sun .
4. Alabama Sunset:
A classic with brick-red leaves framed with bright yellow edges .
5. ColorBlaze® Rediculous®:
This coleus offers big, bold red leaves. It grows large and handles sun with ease .
Coleus for Shade and Part-Shade
These varieties are perfect for lighting up darker corners of the garden.
6. Black Dragon:
A dramatic variety with deep maroon, ruffled leaves. It looks stunning next to silvery plants .
7. Kong® Rose:
This type has a magenta center, burgundy veins, and a wide green margin. Its massive leaves make a big impact .
8. Wizard® Jade:
A simple variety with a creamy white center surrounded by a sharp, medium-green border. It’s low-maintenance .
9. Japanese Giant:
Known for its large, burgundy leaves with shades of pink and violet .
10. Fairway Mosaic:
A compact variety with striking foliage that mixes green with crimson and purple .
Rare and Unique Coleus Varieties
For the collector, these varieties offer unusual colors and forms.
11. Fishnet Stockings:
This has bright lime leaves crisscrossed with dark purple veins. The more sun it gets, the more the veining stands out .
12. El Brighto:
A showstopper with long, pointed leaves and a complex pattern of burgundy, green, and yellow .
13. Chocolate Mint:
The rich, purple-brown centers are edged in a cool lime green, creating a delicious combination .
14. Henna:
This features pointed leaves with a pale green heart and pink edges. It’s also heat tolerant .
Popular Series: Wizard and Kong Coleus
Many of the best coleus belong to two major series: the compact Wizard® series and the large-leaved Kong® series.
Wizard Coleus Varieties
The Wizard® series is known for compact, uniform plants, perfect for borders and containers .
15. Wizard® Rose:
A reliable variety with bright pink centers and a thin creamy white border .
16. Wizard® Coral Sunrise:
This offers beautiful salmon-pink leaves with blotches of dark burgundy .
17. Wizard® Velvet Red:
This plant has vibrant, velvety red leaves with thin, pointed green edges .
18. Wizard® Mosaic:
My personal favorite, it has bright chartreuse leaves splashed with burgundy .
Kong Coleus Varieties
The Kong® series is defined by its massive, oversized leaves that create a tropical feel .
19. Kong® Red:
This boasts giant, elongated leaves in a deep burgundy-red with chartreuse edges .
20. Kong Jr. Green Halo:
A slightly smaller type with huge, heart-shaped leaves and a cream-colored center .
Designing with Coleus: Practical Tips
Coleus is the ultimate design plant. Its foliage can be the star or the perfect supporting actor.
- Create Color Echoes: Pair your coleus with flowers that pick up one of the colors in its leaves. For example, place a red coleus next to red calibrachoa.
- Play with Texture: Use fine-textured coleus next to plants with broad leaves. This contrast makes the arrangement more dynamic.
- Thriller, Filler, Spiller: For containers, use an upright coleus as the “thriller,” a mounding type as a “filler,” and a trailing variety as the “spiller.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How many varieties of coleus are there?
There are about 300 species of coleus and over 1,500 different varieties, with new hybrids being developed constantly .
Are coleus plants perennials or annuals?
Coleus are tender perennials in USDA Hardiness Zones 10-11. In most of the United States, they are grown as annuals because they cannot survive frost. You can take cuttings in fall to overwinter them indoors .
What are some rare coleus varieties?
Varieties like ‘Fishnet Stockings’, ‘El Brighto’, and ‘Henna’ are often considered more unique due to their unusual veining and complex color patterns .
My Final Recommendations
Coleus plants are the most versatile actors in the garden. I encourage you to visit a garden center and see these varieties in person. Start layering plants together in your cart. You will know you have found the perfect combination when the colors in your coleus seem to intensify.
For more guidance, explore our other gardening guides visit USA Garden Hub.
