Where to Buy Coleus Plants for Your Garden

Coleus are beautiful, low maintenance plants that can bring stunning color and interest to gardens, patios, and containers Their brightly colored leaves in shades of green, red, pink, yellow, orange, burgundy and more have made them garden favorites for decades Coleus are available from garden centers, nurseries, mail order catalogs and online shops. Here’s an overview of some of the best places to buy coleus plants for your landscape.

Local Garden Centers

Most local independent garden centers and nurseries will carry a nice selection of coleus varieties during the spring and summer months. The benefit of shopping for coleus in person is you can see the plants up close, check for signs of health and vigor, and hand select the colors and varieties you like best. Garden center staff are also usually very knowledgeable about coleus care and can give advice on choosing plants suited for sun or shade locations. Some things to look for when buying coleus plants in person:

• Choose plants with healthy looking foliage and no signs of wilting, yellowing, or insect damage.

• Look for plants with well established root systems. Gently lift plants out of their pots to inspect roots.

• Seek out garden centers that propagate their own coleus. These plants will likely be more robust.

• Time your coleus purchase for late spring/early summer when the newest plants have been brought into the garden center,

Popular national chains like Home Depot and Lowe’s will have a decent coleus selection. But local independent garden centers may offer more unique and hard-to-find coleus varieties.

Mail Order Coleus

Purchasing coleus through mail order catalogs or online shops is another good option, especially if you’re looking for uncommon coleus varieties. Reputable mail order nurseries often have a much wider selection of plants compared to local garden centers. Here are some top mail order sources for buying coleus plants:

• Rosy Dawn Gardens – Specializes exclusively in coleus and offers over 200 coleus varieties, many not found anywhere else. Plants ship April – June.

• Bluestone Perennials – Offers around 50 varieties of coleus plants. Free shipping on orders over $45.

• Spring Hill Nurseries – Carries unique coleus collections like the Wizard Coleus Collection and Under the Sea Coleus Collection.

• Nature Hills Nursery – Good selection of popular coleus varieties. Offers free shipping on orders over $100.

When ordering coleus by mail, order early to get the best selection. Most mail order nurseries ship when weather is suitable in spring/early summer. Select expedited shipping if planting right away.

Buying Coleus Starts vs Plants

Another factor to consider is whether to purchase small starter plants or more mature coleus. Starter plants are cheaper and easier to ship but will take longer to reach mature size. Larger plants make more of an instant impact but are pricier. Here are some tips for both options:

Coleus Starts

• Often sold in cell packs or small pots around 2-3 inches wide.

• Usually cost just a few dollars per plant.

• Establish quickly when planted in the garden.

• Provide instant color and fill out within a few weeks.

Larger Coleus Plants

• Sold in 4 inch pots or quart sizes.

• Offer instant color and impact.

• Range from $5-$15 per plant.

• Can withstand more sun and wind than starts.

• May bloom in first year. Start plants less likely to flower.

Either starter coleus or larger plants can work well. Choose based on your budget, how quickly you want mature plants, and whether you need them to withstand sun/wind immediately.

Unique and Specialty Coleus

Beyond the well known, commonly available coleus varieties, there are many specialty options to explore:

• New coleus introductions – Look for the newest coleus varieties released each year. These feature unique colors, leaf shapes, growth habits.

• Trailing coleus – Cascade beautifully in containers. Look for trailing types like Trailing Queen or Trailing Plum.

• Small leaved coleus – Tiny leaves create delicate, fine textures. Fairway Series coleus are known for tiny leaves.

• Large leaved coleus – Huge, “dinner plate” leaves make a dramatic statement. Kong Series coleus have especially large leaves.

• Fragrant coleus – Unusual varieties like Coleus ‘Wasabi’ and ‘Caipirinha’ offer pleasant scents.

• Non-flowering coleus – Some newer coleus are sterile/don’t flower, keeping the focus on their foliage.

Creating Stunning Coleus Combinations

One of the joys of coleus is using them in creative combinations with other plants. Here are some ideas for building stunning coleus pairings:

• Combine contrasting leaf colors and shapes. For example, upright Redhead coleus with trailing Strawberry Drop.

• Partner bold coleus like ‘Kong Jr. Scarlet’ with delicate grasses or fine textured plants.

• Use coleus as thrillers in container plantings, surrounded by trailing/mounding plants.

• Echo coleus colors with companion plants like orange flowers with orange-red leaved coleus.

• Use coleus in colorful themed plantings. For instance, purple coleus, purple heart plants, purple fountain grass.

With the myriad coleus varieties available from local and mail order sources, the possibilities for creating spectacular coleus combinations are nearly endless! Do some research, shop early for best selection, and add these sensational foliage plants to your garden.