Coleus Kong Red plant featuring extra-large leaves with vivid red centers and green margins, ideal for shade gardens and containers.

Make a Bold Foliage Statement with Coleus Kong Red

If you’re looking to add instant drama and bold color to your garden, Coleus Kong Red delivers like no other. With its gigantic leaves, vivid red centers, and eye-catching contrast, this premium coleus variety is a must-have for shady spots, containers, and landscape borders. Whether you’re new to gardening or a seasoned plant lover, Kong Red is the perfect foliage powerhouse to take your garden design to the next level.

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Why Choose Coleus Kong Red?

Coleus Kong Red belongs to the popular Kong series, specially bred for exceptionally large leaves and vivid foliage patterns. This variety boasts deep red centers that radiate outward into chartreuse-green and burgundy veining—each leaf looks like a living painting.

Kong Red is perfect for shady to part-shade areas, where many flowering plants struggle. Instead of flowers, you get massive, richly colored foliage that makes a statement from spring to fall.

Top benefits:

  • 🌿 Gigantic leaves for big visual impact

  • 🌳 Ideal for shade gardens, containers, and patios

  • 💧 Low maintenance and easy to grow from seed

  • 🎨 Works beautifully as a foliage centerpiece or border accent

Ideal Growing Conditions

Coleus Kong Red thrives in part-shade to full shade locations, making it ideal for north-facing gardens, under trees, or covered patios. It prefers warm weather and well-drained, consistently moist soil.

Seed Starting Tips:

  • Start indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost

  • Use pelleted seeds for easier handling

  • Gently press into moist soil—do not cover (light aids germination)

  • Keep at 70–75°F for best germination results

  • Transplant outdoors after the danger of frost has passed

This coleus can grow up to 18–22 inches tall and wide, with a fast-growing habit that fills containers and garden beds quickly.

Fabulous in Containers and Garden Beds

Kong Red is a favorite among landscape designers and home gardeners alike. Use it to:

  • Fill large containers on shaded porches

  • Anchor shade garden designs with bold contrast

  • Add rich color to tropical-themed beds

  • Frame flower beds or walkways with a foliage "border"

Pair it with ferns, caladiums, impatiens, or begonias for layered texture and interest. It also grows well in patio pots, making it perfect for renters or small-space gardeners.

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