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Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) is a group of perennial shrubs related to the mint family. They are not known for their flowers.
On the contrary, they are valued for their beautiful, vibrant foliage. There are a wide variety of color combinations to choose from.
This unique quality has made them favorites for various landscaping ideas. Its bright green foliage with burgundy tones makes Coleus a must-have for a colorful garden.
Most gardeners find these plants very easy to grow. They require little care and can grow anywhere.
For this reason, they are widely used as bedding, border and container plants.
They do exceptionally well in freestanding pots and can be used to create lovely shady gardens.
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What factors should you consider when planting coleus in a container?
Consider the following factors when selecting partners for your coleus:
1) Color contrast
The main goal should be to find a plant of contrasting colors with the coleus. Using this strategy can make your container and jars look very appealing.
You can choose coleus plants to border the container or make it the center of attention.
2) Same growth requirements
The plants used in the container should essentially thrive in the same type of environment. Coleus plants do not tolerate full sun and too much water.
They are very susceptible to diseases such as root rot. To do this, they must be combined with similar plants that need shade.
What to plant with Coleus in a pot?
The following plants can be used in a very modern way with the potted coleus plant:
1) I am patient
of them) sage plants
3) begonias
4) wafers
5) Sweet Potato Vine
6) grass fountain
7) Coleus Burning Bush and Fuchsia
8) Florida Sun Rose Coleus and Green Fuchsia
1) Combination of Impatiens and Coleus plants in a container
I am patient They are annuals known for their bright, cheerful flowers in the spring. They alternate with flowering perennials.
This will keep your shade garden colorful throughout the year. They are wonderful in combination with Coleus.
As flower borders, impatiens can add more color to the glossy, lush foliage of your coleus.
The blooming flowers stand out perfectly from the leaves and give a perfect picture. Both white and red impatiens can be used to make this combination.
2) Sage plants and Combination of coleus plants in a container
Sage plants also belong to the mint family. They offer gardeners a wider variety of colors to choose from.
The most widely used variety is “forest sage”. It has beautiful purple flowers in the spring that look delicate.
They are widely used with containerized coleus plants to create an ideal backdrop. The most common type of coleus used in this combination is “Big Boss”.
The leaves of this variety are light green with a brown center. The purple-lavender flower spikes of the salvias provide a nice contrast in this combination.
This mix of plants can grow well in both hot and cold climates.
3) Begonias and Combination of coleus plants in a container
Begonias are bushy perennials ideal for growing in pots and hanging baskets.
Unlike most flowering plants, which like to grow in full sun, begonias grow well in shade.
They bloom for a long time and brighten up shady places with their colorful flowers. Begonia and coleus have similar growing requirements.
They are the perfect combination for growing next to a container or shade garden.
The combination looks beautiful when the coleus is planted along the edge of the container with begonias in the center.
With proper care, these plants will provide an endless feast all winter long.
4) slices and Combination of coleus plants in a container
Hostas (Funkia) are shade-loving plants that grow easily with plants requiring similar conditions.
They easily grow in dark places where most plants cannot. Their colorful foliage, hardiness and easy growth make them ideal to combine with coleus.
They form a unique combination and the addition of hosta plants makes the lushness more colorful.
If you like this article, check out our article on What are good companion plants for a creeping Jenny?
5) Sweet potato vine and Combination of coleus plants in a container
Sweet potato vines (Ipomoea batatas) can grow in virtually any condition, from full sun to full shade.
They are widely used as decorative plants due to their captivating foliage. They are very versatile and quite resistant to pests and diseases.
The plants are valued for their colorful leaves which can be purple, green or black. Sweet potato vines make excellent companion plants both in containers and in raised beds.
And because the foliage is unaffected by weather changes, you can enjoy this plant year-round without worrying about blooming.
They turn out to be a wonderful combination with coleus. When used in combination, they provide a sumptuous look with their texture and foliage.
Coleus can be placed in the center of the container, while vines can form a colorful border.
This combination can also be used in hanging baskets where the hanging vines provide an even more dramatic display.
6) Grass fountain and Combination of coleus plants in a container
Fountain grass (Pennisetum) is an ornamental grass commonly used for: landscaping. It is called fountain grass because of its thin, elegantly spaced leaves.
The waterfall look is worth it. There are many types of fountain grass. Most occur naturally in tropical regions of Africa and Asia.
Purple fountain grass is the most popular choice for most gardens.
The beauty of this herb makes it an ideal choice for use as a companion plant in containers and shade gardens.
Planting with coleus is a popular combination. Bottle brush flowers and pointed leaves provide a unique look when planted next to coleus.
7) Combination of Burning Bush Coleus and Fuchsia
This coleus variety has bright orange leaves that add a unique hue to the mix. The perfect plant for this is, for example, the Gartenmeister Fuchsia.
This fuchsia, with its coral-red flowers and dark leaves, forms a stark contrast to the pale coleus.
It is also a shade-loving plant and does exceptionally well in containers. The soil should be moist for this setup, but not soggy at all.
8) Florida Sun Rose Coleus and Green Fuchsia
This type of coleus has attractive burgundy-colored vegetation. It is a relatively low maintenance plant and can be used effectively with other light plants for a lively show.
Fuchsia “Billy Green” is a wonderful companion plant for this. Olive green foliage and pink tubular flowers make the combination really aesthetic.
How do you care for a potted Coleus plant?
The following things should be kept in mind to ensure healthy growth of your Coleus:
1) light
Coleus are shade-loving plants and hate direct light. These plants prefer indirect direct sunlight.
If placed in direct sunlight, the leaves will turn white and appear dull. Use only sun-tolerant varieties if you plan to place your containers in daylight.
2) Watering
Whether you keep your coleus in containers or plant it directly in the ground, always give it a moderate amount of water.
Coleus plants don’t like to be overwatered and can quickly develop root rot if they are. Potted plants need more frequent watering than planted plants.
3) Humidity:
As these occur naturally in tropical areas, coleus plants like to thrive in moderate humidity.
High humidity is not necessary and they do well in 60-80% humidity.
4) Down
When planting coleus in containers, preference should be given to high-quality soil. The soil should be rich in nitrogen and have a pH of 6 to 7.
Containers should also be well drained to prevent water clogging. There should be enough drainage holes under the containers for this purpose.
5) prune
If the plant is not pruned, it can look very shriveled.
It is necessary to prune the coleus from time to time to prevent it from becoming spindly and unattractive.
To do this, use sterile scissors and cut the tips to allow more lateral growth of the plant.
Final thoughts: what to plant with Coleus in a container?
Coleus plants are complete gems when it comes to container use.
They are essential parts of any shade garden you can find. Using them with other contrasting plants is sure to brighten dark spots in your lawn.
By following the above strategies, I am sure you can create a good design for your container garden.
You can also experiment with different plants yourself. This can lead to unique combinations that might surprise you too!
Before you go, here are some more related articles that I encourage you to read below to solve more of your gardening problems:
5 great plant associations with your Agapanthus
Are bamboo pots good for plants?
How to landscape with potted plants
About the Author:
Saad Anzar
Saad is an avid gardener and a great lover of plants, animals, photography and people. Currently, his focus is on indoor plant photography and captioning beautiful landscapes. Write and rewrite feature articles on nature and science.