Gardening Flowers Annuals Solid-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 February 20, 2017 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article View All In This Article Varieties Garden Plans Solid color shade-loving coleus grows well even in the darkest corners of your yard if you give it water, a little fertilizer, and wait to plant it outdoors until after the weather is consistently warm. Leaf color is often more intense in light shade than in deep shade, but avoid planting in full sun because leaves are susceptible to scorch in bright light conditions. Solid-Leaf Coleus (Shade-Loving) Overview Genus Name Plectranthus scutellarioides Common Name Solid-Leaf Coleus (Shade-Loving) Plant Type Annual, Houseplant Light Shade Height 1 to 3 feet Width 1 to 3 feet Special Features Low Maintenance Zones 10, 11, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Propagation Seed, Stem Cuttings Varieties of Coleus Krakatoa Coleus (Solenostemon 'Krakatoa') has mahogany-purple leaves. The toothed margins are sometimes tipped in olive green, especially in dense shade. It is a large coleus, growing 3 feet tall. Lava Flow Coleus (Solenostemon 'Lava Flow') is deep purple with fiery-red and black overtones. If grown as an indoor plant, it may develop a black medallion in the center of its leaves during winter. LifeLime Coleus (Solenostemon 'LifeLime') lights up the shade with its scalloped chartreuse foliage. Grow it in full to part shade to prevent sunburn. It grows 3 feet tall. Garden Plans for Coleus Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit