Garden Plants

08.02.259 min

Coleus Plant Care: Vibrant Varieties, Toxicity, and Growing Tips for 2025

author photoAlexander Thompson
Coleus Plant Care: Vibrant Varieties, Toxicity, and Growing Tips for 2025

Plants are commonly green, simple. But one of them strikes a great contrast, Coleus. It’s vibrant, red, and easily distinguishes itself from a row of green bushes.

This article will tell you how to care for Coleus plants, their varieties, and what they need for good growth.

Try plant identification on your phone. With apps, you can scan any flowers and bushes around you.

About Coleus Plants

Coleus is a tropical plant that is easy to grow. People usually keep it for striking foliage, ranging in many vibrant colors. Though it wasn’t always like that. When this flora was introduced to Europe, it had only a few striking varieties. Most of what you see today results from the work of selective breeders.

The scientific name of this plant is Plectranthus scutellarioides, meaning a “spur” and a “flower”, which refers to the pointy look of the leaves.


Overview

Feature

Details

Origin

Southeast Asia and Malaysia

Type

Annual

Size

Typically 12–36 inches (30–91 cm)tall, some varieties up to 3 feet (about 1 meter).

Life span

Annual outdoors, but can live several years indoors with proper care.

Leaf Colors

Varies: green, red, purple, etc.

Flowers

Small, tubular, often blue or purple

Propagation

By stem cutting

Toxicity

Not toxic

Special Features

Has many varieties


Be careful. There’s a similarly named flora, the Coleus Canina plant, but it’s completely different, dominated by flowers and smaller in stature.

Coleus Varieties

Coleus varies in its coloration and leaf shapes. Some varieties are more popular and more expensive than others.

Green Coleus Plant

a Coleus with green leaves.

Green variety is among the most abundant. Even if the variety is any other occurrence, it still has a bit of green.

Green has many subvarieties. So many that they could make this article twice as big. Some of the common subvarieties are:

Red Coleus Plant

Red Coleus.

A very popular choice among gardeners because some red subvarieties can fit in a row with other bushes and stand out from the same type.

Some of the popular subvarieties include:

Black Dragon Coleus Plant

Black dragon Coleus.

Technically, it’s not a variety. Coleus black dragon plant is a subvariety of the red version. 

Coleus black dragon live plant is a sight to behold. It combines dark, purple, and red colours, and catches the eye. Light gives this colour, so make sure your Black dragon cloud is in a well-lit spot.

Purple Coleus Plant

Purple Coleus: Chocolate and Dark Star.

The purple variety is beautiful in subtle ways. It's not as vibrant as red ones, but if it’s surrounded by proper bushes, it pops up very well.

Some of the popular purple subvarieties include:

A Misconception: Blue Coleus Plant

Some believe that the blue variety exists, especially with all the photos of blue leaves.

Unfortunately, Coleus does not come in blue coloration. Blue is not natural for its leaves. Some purple varieties appear very close to blue, but still not blue in their core.

Beware of those trying to sell such fake Colus to you.

Rainbow Coleus 

Rainbow Coleus.

By rainbow, breeders usually mean there’s a mix of seeds that creates different colours in a batch, like Polka dot with “Confetti” variety.

Rainbow Coleus usually combines greens and reds, and has many slightly chaotic colour patterns. They are also often a bit smaller than average.

Sun Coleus Plant

This variety is not called after their coloration, but after their unique resistance.

Coleus has historically been shade flora, and most benefit from protection from midday sun. This variety can take more sunrays and even benefits from them, creating better coloration.

Some of the previous Coleus examples are in this “Sun” category, like “Campfire” and “Chocolate”.

Just remember, though this variety is more sun-resistant, it still can’t take full sun like Kniphofia and other naturally resistant flora.

Coleus Plant Care Indoors + Outdoors

What does this flora need for healthy growth? This little guide will provide you with answers. You will know everything your Coleus needs.

Light Requirements

Do you have your coleus plant indoor or outdoor?

For indoors, try to give it bright, indirect light. Too much sun can fade leaf color, and too little can make it leggy and dull. Find a balance, as just enough sun makes leaves very vibrant.

For outdoors, try to place your Colus in partial shade. Sun-resistant varieties are comfortable outdoors.

Watering

plant watering instruments like cans and bottles.

Watering conditions are similar to most other flora. When the soil gets tired, you water it. Usually, it takes 8 to 9 days between watering sessions.

Coleus plant care in winter changes a bit because watering is less frequent.

Temperature

If you remember, this flora comes from Malaysia, with a tropical climate with hot and humid weather.

This flora requires a temperature of 60–75°F (16–24°C). Avoid temperatures below 50°F (10°C). 

Soil

This flora has no special soil requirements. Well-draining, rich soil from potting mix works well.

Fertilizer

You need to feed this flora every 2–4 weeks during the growing season (spring through early fall) with a balanced liquid fertilizer, preferably diluted to half-strength.

What to Plant with Coleus in a Container

a mix of Coleus plants grown in pots (a mix with different plants and a mix of different Coleus varieties).

This flora has a great “combo” potential with others, due to many colorful varieties.

Some of the popular combinations with Coleus are:

Usually, you either choose colourful clauses and put them with a mild flora, or pick vibrant flora as the centerpiece and surround it with many mild-looking Coleus examples.

Coleus Propagation

Propagation is a way for flora to procreate. Some do it with seeds, but homegrown Coleus usually propagates via stem cutting.

Follow these propagation steps:

1. Choose a Healthy Stem

2. Make the Cut

3. Remove Lower Leaves

4. Choose Rooting 

You can root Coleus in water or directly in soil:

Coleus Plant Indoor Benefits

Of course, this flora is pretty. But people are also interested in side-bonuses, like Aloe Vera with its healing properties. What good can Coleus bring to your home?


Benefit

Details

Ornamental Beauty

This flora adds contrast with bright, colorful foliage. Red, pink, green, and purple colours add vibrant contrast to gardens and indoor spaces.

Attracts Pollinators

When left to flower, it attracts bees and other beneficial insects.

Air Purifying (Minor)

It may help slightly improve indoor air quality, like many leafy houseplants.

Mood-Booster

This flora’s colorful, lush appearance enhances mood and aesthetic enjoyment. Usually, green coloration improves the mood best.

Health Risks and Safety

Yes, this flora is pretty and vibrant, but you may know that in nature, colourful flora and fauna are often poisonous. You might feel cautious.

Is the Coleus plant toxic to cats?

Unfortunately, yes. It is toxic to cats and smaller animals due to the oils. It’s not deadly but causes irritation and vomiting.

AI Plant Finder

If you are interested in flora and want to know more, you should try AI Plant  Finder.

AI Plant Finder allows you to identify plants, flowers, trees, shrubs, and indoor species by uploading a photo or scanning with your camera. The entries are very informative, and you can learn a lot about what you have in your backyard or a park nearby.

The app has many other functions, like disease identification, care reminders, and tips.

If you’re interested, AI Plant Finder is free to download on iOS and Android.

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