Coleus is a tropical plant with striking foliage often grown as an annual. This mint-family plant was very popular as a bedding plant in Victorian times. It’s easy to grow and gives you months of color.
Coleus comes in an array of foliage colors, including red, pink, orange, yellow, chartreuse, green, burgundy and purple. Leaves 1-6” long can be pointed, oval or scalloped, many with intricate veining or patterns. Coleus flower in late summer, with blue flower spikes that are often trimmed off for a neater appearance. Though most are bush types, there are trailing varieties as well.
Coleus grows quickly and can handle sun, shade, and heat. It can be massed in the garden, used as filler in a container, or let it fall over in a window box or hanging basket. You can find a coleus that fits any garden style or color scheme because there are so many to choose from.
With their stunning foliage colors, coleus are some of the most versatile annuals for gardens and containers. For those seeking deep, dramatic hues, dark purple coleus varieties should be top of mind. Ranging from reddish purples to inky near-blacks, these moody marvels lend bold contrast and intrigue. Let’s explore some captivating dark purple coleus and how to incorporate them into garden designs.
Why Grow Dark Purple Coleus?
Most coleus varieties sport colorful combinations of greens reds oranges, yellows, and creams. So what makes the dark purples special? Here are some reasons to consider them
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Provides striking contrast against bright flowers like zinnias or silver foliage like dusty miller.
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Lends rich depth and drama when combined with equally saturated reds and hot pinks.
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Anchors light and bright plantings with a dark moody twist.
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Pairs beautifully with whites for bold monochromatic designs.
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Adds mystery and allure with their gothic, near-black hues.
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Extends color impact into shaded areas where dark foliage reads well.
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Attracts attention with their uniqueness and intensity.
Top Picks for Deep, Dramatic Dark Purple Coleus
Many coleus offer dusky purple tones. But some rise above with extra deep hues bordering on black. Here are some of the darkest purple beauties:
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‘Black Dragon’ – Frilled, serrated edges; near-black.
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‘Black Prince’ – Ruffled, heart-shaped leaves; deep purple.
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‘Midnight’ – Scalloped, jagged edges; reddish-black.
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‘Royal Purple’ – Oversized, pointed leaves; rich purple.
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‘Vino’ – Subtle leaf veins; wine-colored tones.
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‘Black Knight’ – Lacy, jagged leaves; dark burgundy.
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‘Vampire’ – Pointed leaves with lime edge; dark purple.
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‘Dark Star’ – Simple, smooth leaves; inky indigo.
There are also trailing dark purple coleus like ‘Trailing Queen’ and uprights like ‘Plum Parfait’ that combine deep tones with other colors. Explore all the options to find your perfect moody hues!
Combining Dark Purples with Other Colors
One of the joys of gardening with coleus is mixing colors for exciting palettes. Here are dynamic color combinations to try with dark purple varieties:
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Contrast with bright whites like ‘Snowstorm’ coleus or ‘Diamonds Blue’ euphorbia.
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Compliment with hot pinks like fuchsias and zinnias.
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Add sizzle with spicy oranges like marigolds or calibrachoas.
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Support with cool, pale purples like heliotrope and Persian shields.
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Connect through tone with deep reds like alternanthera and celosias.
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Emphasize with silver foliages like dusty miller and santolinas.
Don’t limit yourself to these suggestions—have fun playing with different color mixes!
Designing With Moody, Mystical Dark Purple Coleus
Now that you’ve got your palette, how do you effectively incorporate these dramatic divas? Here are some winning ways to design with deep purple coleus:
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Edge bold monochromatic beds and borders.
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Anchor mixed containers by placing upright purples in the thriller role.
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Weave trails of purple through planters for rhythm.
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Highlight entryways and focal points.
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Form elegant color blocks in formal bed patterns.
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Contrast against yellow, chartreuse, or white walls.
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Line pathways to create an alluring gothic vibe.
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Add intrigue by intermingling purples with bright colors.
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Combine different leaf shapes for texture and depth.
Caring for Dark Purple Coleus
All coleus have similar preferences when it comes to care. Here are the key factors for success with dark varieties:
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Provide at least 4 hours of direct sunlight to maintain deep hues. Shade dilutes color.
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Pinch regularly to encourage bushy growth. This prevents legginess.
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Water whenever the top inch of soil is dry. Avoid underwatering.
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Feed every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
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Monitor for pests like mites, mealybugs, or downy mildew disease. Treat promptly.
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Prolong performance by pinching bloom spikes as they form.
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Bring indoors before first fall frost for overwintering.
With a little TLC, your dark coleus will thrive through the season, delivering dramatic flair wherever you plant them. It’s time to go bold with these bodacious, brooding beauties!
Is coleus a perennial? Do coleus come back?
Hardy in USDA zones 10-11, coleus is a tender perennial but is most often grown as an annual. Because coleus don’t like cooler weather, they will only come back the next year in the warmest places.
TRY THESE PROVEN WINNERS® VARIETIES
Coleus comes in a wide array of leaf colors, patterns and shapes. Add these to your landscape:
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Color Blaze® Lime Time® has vivid chartreuse coloring that holds up well throughout the growing season. Adapts to a wide range of light conditions and is heat tolerant. Use this larger variety in mass plantings, as border edging or as a thriller element in containers. The lime-green coloring pairs well with many other plants. |
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Color Blaze® Sedona Sunset® produces rich colors of coppery-orange with plum highlights, reminiscent of a southwestern sunset. Use this tall vigorous grower in mixed borders, massed as a bedding plant, as a thriller element or stand-alone accent in containers. Combine with complementary blue or purple hues for a pop of contrast. |
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Color Blaze® Wicked Witch™ has deep burgundy foliage rimmed with a thin margin of chartreuse along the scalloped leaf edges, providing a bright pop of contrast. Tolerant of heat and varying light conditions, flowers appear late in the season, keeping energy into foliage production. The taller upright habit is useful in mixed borders, massed in the landscape, or as a container accent. |
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Color Blaze® Rediculous® is a vigorous well-branching variety with rich burgundy-red foliage. Coloring becomes more intense with increased sun. In arid regions, plant in partial to full shade. Combine with colors of chartreuse, yellow or blue for a dazzling pop of contrast. Use this taller form as a background element in the landscape or as a filler in containers. |
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Color Blaze® Royale Pineapple Brandy™ has pointy serrated leaves with golden-green pineapple coloring and hints of deep burgundy-purple. Light up a deeply shaded area with this sun and shade-tolerant variety. The slightly more compact form is useful in mass plantings or as a thriller element in a container in combination with other warm-season annuals. |
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Color Blaze® Newly Noir™ is a newer variety with velvety dark purple, nearly black foliage. Contrast with hot hues of red or yellow for sizzling summer color, or combine with silver or blue for a more sophisticated look. Use this taller form in a mixed border, as a background plant or in a container in combination with other warm-season annuals. |
See more: 10 Colorful Coleus
Beautiful Purple Plant Options for Your Garden! // Garden Answer
FAQ
How do you care for purple coleus?
Does Purple coleus exist?
Do coleus come back every year?
Does coleus like sun or shade?
Do coleus plants have purple leaves?
You can’t beat Coleus plants for their fast growth rate, ease of care, and uniquely colorful foliage. Some of the varieties here have predominantly purple foliage. Some are even near black. While others have purple or burgundy mixed in with other colors in their leaves. Some are short, some are tall, and some are even trailing.
How many purple Coleus varieties are there?
Keep scrolling to check out 48 stunning purple coleus varieties. You can’t beat Coleus plants for their fast growth rate, ease of care, and uniquely colorful foliage. Some of the varieties here have predominantly purple foliage. Some are even near black. While others have purple or burgundy mixed in with other colors in their leaves.
Is Apocalypse a purple Coleus?
‘Apocalypse’ is one of the captivating purple coleus varieties that boasts intense foliage resembling a stormy sky with shades of purple. 20. Black Lace Botanical Name: Coleus ‘Black Lace’
What color is a Coleus plant?
This large shrubby tropical plant has rich reddish-purple foliage and grows well in sunny locations. Use to add bold colors to garden landscapes or grow as a small colorful houseplant. One of the brightest coleus cultivars with its copper red and yellow variegated foliage.
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