How to Use coleus in a Sentence

coleus

noun
  • Here are nine plants your coleus will thank you for placing as a neighbor.
    — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 May 2026
  • Pinching back your coleus will keep them show-worthy all season.
    — Erynn Hassinger, Country Living, 22 Apr. 2023
  • Ferns' green, comb-like fronds soften coleus' bold patterns and vivid colors.
    — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 May 2026
  • Many ferns, begonias, hostas, coleus, and leopard plant can all be grown in deep shade.
    — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026
  • However, exposure to frost is the end of the line for a coleus.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2024
  • If your petunias and coleus look spindly and leggy, use pruning shears to cut them back by about one-half.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Rains and hot weather push out lots of growth from colorful coleus plantings.
    — Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 31 July 2021
  • Today’s coleus are big and bold and come in a dizzying array of leaf forms and colors.
    — Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
  • There are many varieties of coleus, and some prefer more shade than others.
    — Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2023
  • Often coleus don’t survive winters and have to be replaced each spring.
    — Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2024
  • Sun-tolerant coleus in patio pots.
    — Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Your marigolds and zinnias are leggy, dahlias have fewer blooms, and coleus are forming seed spikes.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2025
  • But even coleus that’s bred to grow in full sun will need an afternoon break in the heat of July.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
  • Plant coleus in well-draining soil and water frequently.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
  • There are many varieties of coleus, and some can handle sun and heat better than others.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
  • When selecting coleus ask for the sun-tolerant types for the open areas.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2025
  • Provide needed trimming to reduce the height and width of coleus, as needed.
    — Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 31 July 2021
  • The root of the coleus, a plant not widely used in perfume, proved instrumental.
    — Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 3 June 2026
  • Definitely the most go-to plants for summer are pentas and coleus.
    — Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 26 June 2021
  • The trick to rooting coleus is to keep the cuttings moist and surrounded by clear plastic in a shady area.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2026
  • When selecting coleus, ask for the sun-tolerant types for the open areas.
    — Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 22 June 2019
  • Even a single coleus will need a pot at least nine inches across, and groupings will demand larger sizes.
    — Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 20 May 2021
  • Pair dark coleus with brighter thrillers and spillers to create a stunning container garden.
    — Claire Hoppe, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Sep. 2024
  • Almost foolproof bedding plants for summer are the pentas and coleus.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2025
  • Here, coleus and marigolds are grouped together to maximize the effect.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 June 2026
  • The velvety rich tones of some coleuses even have a bright green variegation that matches those of many types of vines.
    — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 May 2026
  • The coleus is small now but will quickly grow into a bushy plant 24 to 30 inches tall.
    — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 21 June 2021
  • Today’s coleus selections are rock stars of the summer border.
    — Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 5 June 2020
  • Pentas come in a wide array of flower colors and coleus foliage colors.
    — Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2024
  • Easy-to-root coleus can be started in a loose potting soil or container of coarse vermiculite.
    — Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 12 June 2021

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coleus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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