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Coleus Companion Plants For the shade-loving plant, choose hosta, fuchsia, fern, begonia, impatiens, sweet potato vine, coral bells. For mix and match color, combine coleus with million bells, petunia, bacopa, lobelia, marigold, daisy, basically any flowering plants is an excellent choice.
What plants grow well with coleus?
Companion Plants to Throw into the Mix Include: Lantana. Impatiens. Begonias. Heliotrope. Cordyline (spikes) Dusty miller. Sweet potato vine. Ornamental grasses like purple fountain grass.
Are coleus good in pots?
Coleus is a fantastic plant for adding color to your garden or house. A member of the mint family, it’s not known for its flowers, but for its beautiful and vibrantly colored leaves. On top of that, it’s extremely well suited to growing in containers.
What annuals go well with coleus?
In the shade garden mix coleus with caladium, begonia, impatiens, or polka dot plant. Keep in mind that some coleus varieties can grow to 3 feet tall and wide so you may want to do an occasional trimming to keep them from overtaking their neighbors.
Can you plant coleus and begonias together?
To bring a splash of tropical color to the garden, few plants can beat the brilliant foliage of coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) or the bright blooms of begonia (Begonia sp.). Because coleus and begonia have similar growing requirements, they thrive alongside each other in a garden bed or container.
How do I make my coleus bushy?
You can make coleus bushy by routinely pinching the stems and leaves from the plant. Over time, the main stem or trunk of your coleus will become strong and support a larger, fuller plant. Regular feeding with a diluted liquid fertilizer can also promote growth.
Will coleus come back every year?
Taking a perennial to a location where cold winters kill it does not make it an annual. Coleus is a perennial, a tropical shrub, that is not hardy except in warm, frost-free zones.
Does coleus like sun or shade?
Coleus thrive in cool, evenly moist, well-drained soil. Consistent moisture is good, but soggy conditions cause root disease. Watering should complement available sun. Some modern coleus varieties handle full sun, but most still flourish with at least dappled shade and direct sun limited to morning hours.
Can coleus be planted with herbs?
Tucking in some sweet potato vine or a bit of coleus at the base of a group of herb plants that may have become leggy provides a welcome boost to the arrangement. An attractive container planted with a large tri-color sage can stand alone, as can a bold Mexican container of basil.
Are all coleus shade plants?
Coleus has long been considered a shade plant but the best leaf color is achieved with morning sun and some degree of afternoon shade. Many varieties do well in both shade and part-sun. Some can take quite a bit of sun as long as they are not allowed to dry out.
How long do coleus plants live for?
While the lifespan of an average coleus plant is one year, you can prolong its life by pruning. Watch out for any small flower buds and prune it before the flower buds bloom. This is because once the plant starts producing flowers and seeds it will soon die.
Are begonias the same as coleus?
Rex begonias provide similar color and size as coleus. They come in shades and mixtures of green, red, pink, purple, and silver. Although more limited in color than coleus, they make up for it with a variety of different leaf textures, shapes, and patterns.
What grows well with begonias?
8 Great Companions to Plant with Your Begonias 1 – Impatiens. Impatiens might be a good choice when you’re looking for something else that can add color to your yard. 2 – Torenia. 3 – Caladium. 4 – Coleus. 5 – Boston Fern. 6 – Black Mondo Grass. 7 – Silver Nickel Vine. 8 – Fiber Optic Grass.
Can you plant different begonias together?
Yes you can combine a number of the same or different begonias in a pot.
Can coleus be grown in small pots?
You can keep it in small containers, but if you move it to a large container or open garden, it can grow as long as 2 feet. A well-draining potting soil is recommended for planting this plant in containers since it thrives in pots and gardens.
Can you plant caladium and coleus together?
Both of these super easy plants have jewel-toned foliage that sparkles even when sunlight is scarce. When planted together they remind us of a living stained glass window. Coleus and caladium also make good roommates because they both prefer slightly moist soil and warm, humid conditions.
Do butterflies like coleus?
Plants that attract butterflies Some of the many plants that butterflies prefer include those that you wouldn’t ordinarily think about. Gardeners generally harvest carrots before they go to flower or they pinch the terminal growth of coleus so it gets bushier rather than let it flower.
How do I make my coleus more colorful?
Morning sun and afternoon shade is the rule of thumb for any coleus. But breeders have been introducing lots of sun-tolerant varieties that can take a lot more light than many of the older hybrids. Most have “solar” or “sun” in their names, and sport brighter reds and more vivid greens in their foliage.
Do coleus like to be root bound?
Coleus has shallow roots, so you can get away with smaller pots, but you still want to make sure those roots have room to grow and latch – in other words, do not overcrowd your coleus plants when planting in the ground.
