Trailing Coleus (Shade-Loving)

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Telltale Heart coleus
Photo: Marty Baldwin

This trailing coleus variety is low-maintenance and does well in containers or hanging baskets placed in shady spots. It also may thrive in your shade garden — place it at the front of your garden bed where the leaves can add colorful foliage to your landscape.

Varieties of Coleus

India Frills Coleus

India Frills coleus
Marty Baldwin

(Solenostemon 'India Frills') has deeply lobed narrow leaves with a chartreuse margin and maroon, magenta, and purple center splash. It grows in part or full shade. It trails to 1 foot.

Telltale Heart Coleus

Telltale Heart coleus
Marty Baldwin

(Solenostemon 'Telltale Heart') has heart-shape leaves with scalloped green edges and a deep purple-maroon center. It is slow to flower, so it needs little pinching or pruning to maintain its trailing shape. It trails to 18 inches.

Garden Plans for Coleus

Moon Garden Plan Illustration
Illustration by Gill Tomblin
colorful container garden illustration
Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
wood garden bench among plants
Janet Mesic Mackie
Little Fountain Garden Plan illustration
Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
Shade-Loving Container Garden Plan
Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
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