The leaves of the coleus are absolutely stunning. They skillfully outshine the simple foliage of other plants and provide colorful accents in their surroundings. But they don't like to live alone. How best to combine them?
How do I best combine coleus?
To optimally combine coleus, choose plants with less conspicuous leaves and similar location requirements, such as ivy, gold marguerite or daisies. In the bed they prefer the foreground, in the balcony box they harmonize well with busy lilies or geraniums.
What factors should you consider when combining coleus?
In order to emphasize the charisma of the coleus and not ridicule it, you should attach importance to the following factors when combining:
- Foliage color: green, orange, yellow, red or brown (usually multicolored)
- Flowering time: June to July
- Location requirements: Shaded, permeable and nutrient-rich soil
- Growth height: 30 to 60 cm
Since the color of the coleus leaves is quite spectacular, it is recommended to combine it with plants that have less conspicuous leaves. Otherwise the overall picture quickly appears overused and kitschy.
You should also take the growth height of the coleus into account in your considerations. It remains largely undetected behind tall plants. Therefore, it should always find its place in the foreground.
The highly decorative leaves of the coleus suffer in the blazing sun. Sun-loving plants are therefore not suitable companion plants for coleus.
Combine coleus in the bed
Planted in the bed, the coleus makes an impressive appearance. This is especially true when combined with red or yellow flowering perennials. The coleus also looks advantageous next to evergreen and monochrome plants. It provides color and at the same time provides a certain amount of structure.
Excellent companion plants for coleus in the bed include:
- Ivy
- Harp bush
- Goldmarie
- Tagetes
- Daisies
- Grasses such as sedges and blue fescue
- Ferns such as peacock fern, sickle fern and shield fern
- Rutbeckia
Combine coleus with ivy
The rather monotonous colored ivy benefits from a combination with coleus. It matches the coleus because it is not only visually enhanced by its color, but also has similar location requirements. Combine the dark green of the ivy leaves with light-leaved coleus. That looks the most beautiful.
Combine coleus with gold marie
The Goldmarie can make friends with a partially shaded location and nestle up to the coleus like a soul mate. Their bright yellow flowers are even more enchanting than usual in the presence of coleus. It is particularly recommended to combine dark-leaved coleus with a delicate yellow border with gold marie.
Combine coleus with daisies
Coleus with white-green leaves go well with daisies like the icing on the cake. The daisies should be placed behind the coleus in the bed. With their long flower stalks, they tower over the coleus during flowering and ensure a pleasant color balance.
Combine coleus in the balcony box
Coleus is also extremely popular as balcony plants and is often planted in balcony boxes together with other plants. It is the combination with the flowers of the accompanying plants that make the coleus on the balcony the perfect eye-catcher. Please note that the colors of the coleus leaves harmonize with those of the flowers of the neighboring plants.
Optimal companions for the coleus on the balcony include:
- Hardworking Lieschen
- Geraniums
- Petunias
- Elfspur
- Begonias
- Fuchsias
- Hussar Buttons
- lantana
