Is There a Sun-Tolerant Coleus?

Older varieties of coleus, propagated by seed and sold as bedding plants for the shade, were the only kind available until the 1990s, when Allan Armitage of the University of Georgia introduced cultivars propagated from cuttings that kept their bright colors in sun. Red, burgundy, purple and dark green varieties seem to tolerate sun the best and hybridizers have since introduced dozens of them.

Supersun Coleus
- Texas A&M University performed trials over three years to determine which of 70 coleus cultivars could tolerate both sun and the heat of a Texas summer. Their choices were Supersun Plum Parfait, with ruffled purple leaves that develop pink margins in sun, and Supersun Burgundy Sun, with large oval burgundy leaves. Both grow to 3 feet tall.
Solar Series
- A series of eight coleus cultivars for sun was developed at Hatchett Creek Farms in Gainesville, Florida, and released in 1994. They boast leaves up to 6 inches wide and colors of red, burgundy, bronze and green. Cultivar names are Solar Sunrise, S. Spectrum, S. Storm, S. Set, S. Flare, S. Furnace, S. Shadow and S. Eclipse.
Proven Winners
- During 2008 and 2009, the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center tested Proven Winners varieties of sun coleus and determined its own winners: Life Lime, Big Red Judy, Coco Loco, Dappled Apple, Twist and Twirl, Fishnet Stockings, Glennis, Pistachio Nightmare and Merlot.
Other Varieties
- Hybridizers at Ball Horticulture have released a range of sun coleus in recent years, including Henna, Mint Mocha, Indian Summer, Trusty Rusty and Redhead. Other popular varieties that take sun include Alabama Sunset, Pineapple, Saturn, New Orleans Red and Mississippi Summer Sun.

How to Cut Back Coleus

How to Deadhead Sweet Peas

Growing Annuals

Is There a Sun-Tolerant Coleus?

Supersun Coleus

Solar Series

Proven Winners

Other Varieties