Coleus is one of the most popular foliage plants for home gardens thanks to its stunningly colorful and patterned leaves. With the wide diversity of leaf shapes, textures, and hues, coleus can provide an eye-catching focal point or complement to flower beds, container gardens, borders, and more.
If you’re looking to add some pizzazz to your outdoor living space with coleus you may be wondering – where can I find the best selection of coleus plants? This guide will overview some of the top places to buy coleus plants whether you’re looking for common varieties or rare collector’s items.
Online Mail Order Nurseries
Specialty mail order nurseries that focus specifically on coleus often offer the widest range of varieties available. Since coleus plants don’t always ship well and have a short shelf life, large retail stores typically only carry a few standard varieties. Mail order nurseries that propagate and ship coleus directly to homeowners can provide a much more diverse catalog.
Rosy Dawn Gardens
Rosy Dawn Gardens, based in Michigan, offers the largest selection of coleus found anywhere with over 200 varieties. They carry all the new distinctive varieties from breeders like Ball FloraPlant and Terra Nova Nurseries. You’ll also find many hard-to-find collector’s varieties.
Rosy Dawn propagates and grows all their coleus in-house, so plants arrive healthy and ready to thrive. They have an excellent reputation for excellent customer service and guaranteed live delivery. Their website makes it easy to shop for coleus by color, height, sun tolerance and more.
GrowJoy
GrowJoy in Indiana offers around 50 top-performing coleus varieties, focusing on pollinator-friendly and uniquie varieties. You can shop their coleus selection by color, sun tolerance, height and more.
GrowJoy coleus plants are grown chemical-free and nurtured for strong, healthy root systems that establish quickly after planting. Every order ships with a live arrival guarantee. Their coleus selection includes some exclusive varieties along with popular standards.
Other Mail Order Nurseries
Some other reputable mail order nurseries to consider for coleus plants include
- Glasshouse Works – Unique and rare tropical plants including coleus
- Brent & Becky’s Bulbs – Wide selection of coleus along with other plants
- Bluestone Perennials – Offers about two dozen top coleus varieties
- Nature Hills Nursery – Carries around a dozen coleus varieties
The advantage of mail order nurseries is the convenience of shopping from home combined with the widest plant selection. Order early in the season for the best availability.
Local Independent Nurseries
Your local independent garden centers can also be a great source for finding coleus plants. The selection may not be as extensive as mail order catalogs, but you can see the plants in person before buying.
Seek out nurseries that focus on growing their own plants rather than just buying pre-grown stock from large growers. These nurseries are more likely to carry more interesting coleus varieties beyond just the standards.
Visit local nurseries frequently through the spring season to see new plant deliveries. Variety will be most diverse early in the season.
Some things to look for in a quality independent nursery:
- Healthy, lush foliage without pest damage
- Well-rooted plants not rootbound
- Pots not overcrowded with multiple plants
- Soil kept moist but not saturated
- Sheltered growing area for coleus
Quality local nurseries often provide the freshest options if you need coleus plants for an immediate landscape project. You can find plants sized up beyond small starter sizes.
Big Box Stores
Home improvement and garden stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s provide easy one-stop shopping for coleus plants, though selection is quite limited. These stores typically stock popular varieties like the Wizard and Kong series along with generic mixes. Unique varieties are hard to find.
The benefit of big box stores is convenience, availability, and affordability. The plants are ready for instant gratification gardening projects. Just be aware that quality and selection will be limited compared to nurseries that specialize in growing coleus.
Shop these stores early in the season for the best choice. Check plants closely for good health and root establishment before purchasing.
Grocery Stores and Supercenters
Many grocery stores and supercenters like Walmart often have plant sections that include coleus. As with big box stores, selection will be mostly mainstream varieties. But for an instant pop of color, these outlets offer inexpensive convenience.
Inspect plants closely for health and root development. Avoid plants that look leggy or rootbound in their small pots. Make sure the coleus foliage looks vibrant.
These mass market outlets can actually be a great source for unusual coleus varieties on occasion. Since they buy in such large volumes, sometimes more unique plants make their way into the mix. It’s hit or miss but always worth a look.
Start from Seeds
Starting coleus from seed opens up many more variety possibilities but does require more time and care. Coleus seeds need warmth (at least 70 degrees) and high humidity to germinate which makes them better suited to growing indoors unless you live in a warm climate.
Many mail order seed companies offer coleus seeds, but selection is still relatively limited compared to the hundreds of varieties propagated by cuttings. Seeds of old heirlooms and recent introductions may be found.
Some reputable sources for coleus seeds include:
- Johnny’s Selected Seeds
- Everwilde Farms
- Eden Brothers
- Park Seed
- Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
If you’re looking for general varieties like the Wizard, Kong or Black Dragon series, starting seeds can be an affordable option. For unique collector’s varieties, cuttings are still the best source.
Take Cuttings from Nearby Plants
Taking cuttings from nearby established coleus plants in your neighborhood is another free option for acquiring plants. Look for interesting varieties growing in public gardens, private gardens if permitted, or even commercial plantings around businesses.
The best time for taking coleus cuttings is in early summer when the plants are actively growing. Cuttings root quite easily in water or propagating media. Maintain high humidity until cuttings root and transplant into the garden after frosts pass in spring.
Sharing and trading cuttings with gardening friends is also a great way to gain new variety without buying new plants.
Overwinter Coleus
In areas with cold winters, you can save special coleus varieties from year to year by overwintering them indoors. At the end of the season, take cuttings and root them in water or soil before the first frost. Keep the young plants growing indoors under lights or in a sunny window through winter.
Pinch back the overwintered coleus periodically to keep them compact and prevent flowering which alters leaf color. Take more cuttings in late winter to bulk up plant numbers for spring. Harden off and transplant outdoors after danger of frost.
Overwintering lets you propagate your favorites year after year for free. It also provides great material for taking cuttings to share.
Key Tips for Buying Coleus Plants
When shopping for coleus plants, keep these tips in mind:
- Seek out specialty growers for the widest variety – big box stores have limited selection
- Inspect plants closely for healthy foliage and good root establishment before purchasing
- Give preference to reputable nurseries known for quality and service
- Order early online for best availability – unique varieties sell out fast
- Take cuttings from nearby plants to get free variety options
- For common varieties, starting from seed can be affordable
- Overwinter special plants indoors to reuse favorites annually
The ideal source for coleus plants depends on your needs – convenience, uniqueness, budget, etc. With the wide diversity available, it pays to shop around both online and in person. Visit nurseries frequently to catch new inventory arrivals. Scope out public gardens for variety ideas.
By putting in some time exploring the various options covered here, you’re sure to find beautiful coleus plants to enliven your outdoor space with vibrant foliar color. Happy coleus hunting!
Welcome to Rosy Dawn Gardens!
Rosy Dawn Gardens is a mail-order nursery run by a family that sells colorful coleus starter plants for home gardeners. Coleus are not a sideline for us. Coleus are all we grow! We have over 200 different varieties from which you may choose. Coleus are tender perennials that are grown for their pretty leaves. In the U.S., they are usually thought of as annuals. S. Since they dont depend on flowers for color, coleus will brighten your garden or patio all summer long. You’ve come to the right place if you like to garden in pots, on the patio, or in beautiful garden beds.
Our plants are healthy and well rooted in a 1. 5″ x 2″ deep plug surrounded by biodegradable fabric. When we ship our coleus, their height depends on the type and the date, but they are usually between 3″ and 12″ tall. Sizes are similar to what you would purchase in a 3″ to 4″ pot in a nursery. With our special growing method, we can give you a strong starter plant with well-formed roots while using very little growing medium. Each plant is rolled up into its own cardboard tube before shipping, so it gets to you in perfect shape. We have been successfully shipping coleus this way since we opened 20 years ago. Coleus are guaranteed to arrive alive! If your package is delayed or damaged and your coleus don’t make it, we will re-ship your order at no extra cost to you.
The BEST Coleus line EVER + Tips on Growing STUNNING and HUGE plants!
FAQ
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