Are Coleus Plants Annual or Perennial?

By Staff WriterLast Updated March 28, 2020

Technically a tender perennial, a coleus plant is usually grown as an annual. Coleus plants are grown for their brightly colored foliage and need deadheading for optimum growth.

Coleus plants are members of the nettle family and should be grown in indirect light or in shade for the best foliage results. While the plant can survive full sun, it does best in shade. Dwarf varieties can be 6 to 12 inches tall, while standard varieties can be up to 3 feet high. Pest problems that are often associated with coleus plants include aphids, slugs, snails, white flies and mealy bugs.