Gardening Flowers Annuals How to Plant and Grow Veined-Leaf Coleus (Shade-Loving) By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Instagram Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on May 29, 2019 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article View All In This Article Varieties Garden Plans Veined shade-loving coleus is a colorful foliage plant that grows well in warm weather. Wait until nighttime temperatures remain well above freezing to plant it outdoors. Grow it in landscape beds or add it to container gardens to brighten shady corners. When frost threatens, pot it up and enjoy it as a houseplant in a sunny window until spring. Then plant it outdoors once again! Veined-Leaf Coleus (Shade-Loving) Overview Genus Name Plectranthus scutellarioides Common Name Veined-Leaf Coleus (Shade-Loving) Plant Type Annual, Houseplant Light Shade Height 1 to 3 feet Width 1 to 3 feet Special Features Good for Containers, Low Maintenance Zones 10, 11, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Propagation Seed, Stem Cuttings Varieties of Coleus Chocolate Bear Paw Coleus (Solenostemon 'Chocolate Bear Paw') also is called 'Big Foot' and 'Norris'. Its blocky leaves resemble the shape of a foot with their frilly tips reminiscent of toes. The primary color of each leaf is purple. Magenta veins and chartreuse tips of the frilly leaf margins add interest. It grows 18 inches tall and does best in part sun or light shade. Flirtin' Skirts Coleus (Solenostemon 'Flirtin' Skirts') has overlapping rounded leaves that clasp the stem, producing a layered petticoat effect. In full sun the leaves may turn gold. In shade they develop maroon coloration with chartreuse veining and edges. It grows 18 inches tall. Kong Red Coleus (Solenostemon 'Kong Red') offers extremely large patterned leaves. The central vein and major side veins are rosy red and are surrounded by deep maroon and green bands. Pinch out flower spikes to maintain the large leaf size. It grows 20 inches tall. Kong Rose Coleus (Solenostemon 'Kong Rose') has huge leaves with a broad chartreuse band, maroon veins, and a central rosy-pink swath. Remove flower stalks to maintain the large leaf size. This coleus performs best in the shade and grows 20 inches tall. Garden Plans for Coleus Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit