What to Plant With Coleus in a Container: Foolproof Combinations for Stunning Displays
What to Plant With Coleus in a Container?
In a container with coleus, you can plant a variety of companion plants such as impatiens, calibrachoa, begonia, sweet potato vine, ferns, hosta, fuchsia, mini hosta, million bells, petunia, bacopa, lobelia, marigold, daisy, creeping jenny, creeping charlie, ivy, ornamental grass, and daylily.
Key Points:
- Impatiens, calibrachoa, and begonia are suitable companion plants for coleus in a container.
- Sweet potato vine, ferns, hosta, and fuchsia can also be planted with coleus.
- Mini hosta, million bells, petunia, bacopa, lobelia, marigold, and daisy are compatible with coleus.
- Creeping jenny, creeping charlie, and ivy can be planted alongside coleus in a container.
- Ornamental grass and daylily are additional options for companion plants with coleus in a container.
Did You Know?
1. The secret to a vibrant and eye-catching container with coleus lies in complementing its colorful foliage with contrasting texture and shape. A great plant to pair with coleus is the “Sweet Potato Vine” (Ipomoea batatas), whose vigorous trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves create a striking contrast next to the coleus’ bold and serrated foliage.
2. If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance to your coleus container, try incorporating the delicate “Nemesia” (Nemesia spp.) plant. The petite flowers of the Nemesia come in a variety of colors, from white and pink to lavender and yellow, adding a beautiful and fragrant touch to your coleus arrangement.
3. To add a touch of drama and height to your coleus container, consider planting the “Purple Fountain Grass” (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’). Its upright growth habit and deep purple-red foliage create a stunning backdrop for the colorful coleus plants, adding a sense of depth and texture to the overall display.
4. If you’re aiming for a harmonious and calming container arrangement, the “Lobelia” plant (Lobelia erinus) can be an excellent choice alongside coleus. The delicate, cascading flowers of Lobelia, available in serene hues of blue, lilac, and white, provide a cool and serene contrast against the vibrant foliage of coleus.
5. For a container bursting with a variety of colors and textures, consider including the “Scaevola” plant (Scaevola aemula). With its fan-shaped flowers and lush green leaves, Scaevola adds a unique and charming touch to the coleus container arrangement. This Australian native comes in a range of colors, from purple and blue to white and pink, creating a vibrant and playful combination alongside the striking coleus foliage.
Impatiens
Impatiens make a fantastic companion plant for coleus in a container. Their vibrant and showy blooms create a striking contrast against the richly colored leaves of the coleus. Whether you choose the traditional shade-loving impatiens or the newer sun-loving varieties, both will thrive alongside coleus. Consider mixing different impatiens colors for an eye-catching display. For example, pairing pink impatiens with yellow or variegated coleus can create a visually exciting combination.
Additionally, impatiens are easy to care for, making them an excellent choice for beginners or those with limited gardening experience.
When planting impatiens with coleus, make sure to select a container that provides enough space for both plants to grow without overcrowding. In terms of care, impatiens prefer well-drained soil and regular watering, while coleus thrives in rich, moist soil. Therefore, it is crucial to find a balance and ensure that the container has suitable drainage holes.
- Impatiens make a fantastic companion plant for coleus
- Their vibrant and showy blooms create a striking contrast against the richly colored leaves of the coleus
- Both shade-loving and sun-loving varieties of impatiens will thrive alongside coleus
- Consider mixing different impatiens colors for an eye-catching display
- Impatiens are easy to care for, making them an excellent choice for beginners or those with limited gardening experience
Calibrachoa
Another fantastic companion for coleus in a container is calibrachoa. Also known as million bells, calibrachoa offers a stunning array of colors and patterns that can beautifully complement the foliage of coleus.
Due to their similar growth habit, calibrachoa and coleus make an excellent pair, with the former trailing over the container and the latter providing a vertical element. This combination adds depth and dimension to the overall arrangement.
Calibrachoa is a low-maintenance plant that requires full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It also appreciates regular watering, especially during hot summer months.
When planting calibrachoa with coleus, consider selecting a container that allows ample room for both plants to grow and flourish.
Begonia
Begonias are a classic choice for planting alongside coleus in containers. Their diverse range of colors, including shades of pink, red, orange, and white, harmonize beautifully with the wide variety of leaf colors and patterns found in coleus. The lush, waxy leaves of begonias provide a lovely backdrop for the showier coleus foliage, creating an appealing contrast.
When selecting begonias to pair with coleus, choose varieties that thrive in similar light and moisture conditions. Some begonias prefer shade, while others tolerate more sun. Similarly, ensure that the container has adequate drainage to prevent waterlogging, as begonias, like coleus, prefer slightly moist but well-drained soil. Regular fertilization can also help keep both plants healthy and vibrant.
- Choose begonias that thrive in similar light and moisture conditions
- Ensure the container has adequate drainage to prevent waterlogging
- Regularly fertilize for healthy and vibrant plants
“The lush, waxy leaves of begonias provide a lovely backdrop for the showier coleus foliage, creating an appealing contrast.”
Sweet Potato Vine
Sweet Potato Vine is an excellent trailing companion for coleus in containers. Its cascading and vigorous growth habit creates a beautiful backdrop for the more upright foliage of coleus. Often grown for its colorful foliage, sweet potato vine comes in a range of shades, including chartreuse, burgundy, and variegated varieties. When planted with coleus, the combination of the two plants’ distinct leaf shapes and vibrant colors can create an eye-catching display.
Sweet potato vine prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It requires well-draining soil and appreciates regular watering, particularly during hot and dry periods. When choosing a container for this combination, opt for one with a wide opening and ample depth to accommodate the spreading growth of the sweet potato vine.
- Sweet Potato Vine is an excellent trailing companion for coleus in containers.
- The combination of sweet potato vine and coleus creates an eye-catching display.
- Sweet potato vine comes in a range of shades, including chartreuse, burgundy, and variegated varieties.
- Sweet potato vine prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
- It requires well-draining soil and regular watering, especially during hot and dry periods.
- Choose a container with a wide opening and ample depth for the spreading growth of the sweet potato vine.
“Sweet Potato Vine is an excellent trailing companion for coleus in containers.”
Ferns
Ferns offer an excellent textural contrast to the foliage of coleus when planted together in a container. The lacy fronds of ferns provide a soft and delicate touch that complements the bolder and more vibrant leaves of coleus. This combination adds a touch of elegance and creates a lush and tropical ambiance.
When selecting ferns to plant with coleus, consider their light and moisture preferences. Some ferns thrive in shade and moist conditions, while others tolerate more sun and drier soil. Choose varieties that will complement the specific growing conditions of your container and provide the desired aesthetic effect.
Proper watering and regular misting can help maintain the moisture level required by ferns, while ensuring that the coleus receives adequate moisture as well.
Do:
- Consider the light and moisture preferences of ferns when selecting varieties to plant with coleus.
- Choose fern varieties that complement the growing conditions of your container.
- Water and mist regularly to maintain the moisture levels required by ferns and coleus.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What goes well with coleus in pots?
In addition to the beautiful coleus, a perfect complement in pots could be Lantana. Lantana’s vibrant and multi-colored flowers, available in a variety of shades, bring a delightful contrast to the lush foliage of the coleus. Another great choice would be the striking Dusty miller, with its silver foliage adding a touch of elegance and depth to the overall composition of the pot, creating a visually appealing and harmonious arrangement.
Do coleus like big pots?
Coleus plants can actually thrive in both big and small pots. However, if you opt for a big pot, it provides certain advantages for the coleus. With a larger pot size, there is more room for the roots to spread out and grow, resulting in healthier and more robust plants. Additionally, larger pots retain more moisture, which means you won’t have to water them as frequently. This can be particularly beneficial if you have a busy schedule and may not always have time for regular watering. So, while coleus can adapt to different pot sizes, they do appreciate the benefits that come with larger pots.
Does coleus like sun or shade?
Coleus plants generally prefer dappled shade and limited direct sun to thrive. While there are some modern varieties that can tolerate full sun, it’s important to protect the foliage from intense midday rays to avoid scorching and fading. However, providing too little light can result in weak growth. Striking a balance between sun and shade is crucial for maintaining the beauty and health of coleus plants.
What does coleus attract?
In addition to attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies with its small, tubular flowers, coleus also has the ability to attract human attention with its stunning colors and patterns. Its vibrant foliage can serve as a great focal point in mixed plantings, creating a striking contrast to both flowering plants and green foliage. Whether placed in containers or garden beds, coleus has the potential to captivate and draw in admirers of all kinds.