Coleus Chocolate Mint vs Chocolate Covered Cherry: Which Dark Coleus Is Right for Your Garden?
If you're drawn to rich, moody foliage with depth and drama, the chocolate-toned coleus varieties are in a class of their own. Two of the most searched and most stunning are Coleus Chocolate Mint and Coleus Chocolate Covered Cherry — both sun-tolerant, both available as pelleted seeds, and both capable of transforming a garden bed or container into something that looks genuinely designed.
But they're not the same plant. This guide breaks down exactly what makes each variety unique, how they perform in the garden, and which one (or both!) belongs in your seed order this season.
Meet the Varieties: A Quick Visual Overview
| Feature | Chocolate Mint | Chocolate Covered Cherry |
|---|---|---|
| Primary color | Deep chocolate-brown | Burgundy-cherry with rose tones |
| Margin/accent color | Bright lime-green | Deeper burgundy edge |
| Overall vibe | Cool, graphic, high-contrast | Warm, jewel-toned, lush |
| Sun tolerance | Full sun (6–8 hrs) | Full sun (6–8 hrs) |
| Best companions | Chartreuse, white, coral flowers | Gold, lime-green, soft pink |
| Available as pelleted seed | Yes | Yes |
Coleus Chocolate Mint: Cool Drama in the Sun
Coleus Premium Sun Chocolate Mint is one of the most visually striking foliage plants you can grow from seed. The deep chocolate-brown leaf centers are edged with vivid lime-green margins — a combination that reads as both bold and sophisticated. It's the kind of plant that makes people stop and ask what it is.
As part of the Premium Sun series, Chocolate Mint is bred to handle 6–8 hours of direct sunlight without fading. In shadier spots, the chocolate tones deepen even further. It grows 18–24" tall with a naturally bushy, full habit when pinched regularly.
Best uses for Chocolate Mint:
- High-contrast container combinations with white or coral flowers
- Edging along sunny borders where the lime margin catches the light
- Mass planting for a graphic, modern landscape look
- Pairing with chartreuse sweet potato vine for a monochromatic-plus-pop effect
Coleus Chocolate Covered Cherry: Warm Jewel Tones for Sunny Beds
If Chocolate Mint is cool and graphic, Coleus Chocolate Covered Cherry is warm and lush. The foliage is a deep burgundy-brown with rich cherry-red and rose undertones — the color of a dark chocolate-dipped cherry, exactly as the name suggests. In warm sunlight, the jewel tones intensify and the leaves take on an almost velvety appearance.
This variety is a natural companion for gold, lime-green, or soft pink plantings. It creates the kind of rich, layered color combinations that look like they were designed by a professional landscaper.
Best uses for Chocolate Covered Cherry:
- Paired with chartreuse or gold coleus for maximum contrast
- Mixed containers with soft pink or peach annuals
- Focal point planting in sunny entryway beds
- Layered borders where warm, deep tones anchor lighter companions
How to Grow Both Varieties From Seed
Both Chocolate Mint and Chocolate Covered Cherry are grown the same way — and both are available as pelleted seeds for easier handling and precision sowing.
- Start indoors: 8–10 weeks before your last frost date
- Surface sow only: Coleus seeds need light to germinate — press onto moist seed-starting mix, do not cover
- Soil temperature: 70–75°F — use a heat mat for best results. See our full guide: What Temperature Do Coleus Seeds Need to Germinate?
- Germination time: 10–14 days under good conditions
- Light after sprouting: 14–16 hours/day under grow lights or in a bright south-facing window
- Transplant timing: Harden off over 7–10 days before moving to a full sun location
For a full month-by-month schedule, see our coleus seed starting calendar.
Also Worth Growing: Coleus Premium Sun Chocolate Cherry & Dark Chocolate
If you love the chocolate coleus palette, two more varieties round out the collection beautifully:
Premium Sun Chocolate Cherry is a close sibling to Chocolate Covered Cherry — deep burgundy-chocolate with cherry-red undertones, bred for full sun performance in the Premium Sun series. Available in bulk quantities from 15–100 seeds.
Premium Sun Dark Chocolate takes the palette even deeper — nearly solid dark mocha-brown foliage with minimal margin variation. It's the most dramatic and monochromatic of the chocolate coleus family, perfect for creating bold, sophisticated planting schemes.
Shop Our Chocolate Coleus Seeds
All four chocolate coleus varieties are available as pelleted seeds — easier to handle, easier to space, and available in quantities from 15 to 100 seeds per pack.
Browse our full seed collection at trailingpetunia.com/collections — and order in bulk at our sister site, Trailing Petunia Bulk Seeds.
Care Tips for Chocolate Coleus in Full Sun
Both varieties thrive with the same care routine once established outdoors:
- Water consistently: Sun-grown coleus needs more moisture than shade varieties — water deeply 2–3x per week, daily in containers during heat waves
- Pinch regularly: Pinch growing tips every 2–3 weeks to keep plants bushy and prevent flowering — once coleus blooms, foliage quality declines
- Fertilize lightly: Balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks; avoid high-nitrogen formulas that push green growth over color
- Mulch the base: 2–3" of mulch retains moisture and keeps roots cool in hot sunny spots
- Remove flower spikes immediately: As soon as you see flower buds forming, pinch them off to redirect energy to foliage
Running into germination problems? Our troubleshooting guide covers everything: Why Are My Coleus Seeds Not Germinating? 7 Common Mistakes & Fixes.
And if you're deciding between seeds and cuttings for your chocolate coleus, see: Coleus Seeds vs. Cuttings: Which Is Better for Growing at Scale?
Frequently Asked Questions: Chocolate Coleus Seeds
What is the difference between Coleus Chocolate Mint and Chocolate Covered Cherry?
Coleus Chocolate Mint features deep chocolate-brown foliage with bright lime-green margins, giving it a cool, graphic contrast. Chocolate Covered Cherry has rich burgundy-chocolate centers with cherry-red and rose undertones — warmer and more jewel-toned. Both are sun-tolerant Premium Sun varieties.
Can Coleus Chocolate Mint grow in full sun?
Yes. Coleus Chocolate Mint is part of the Premium Sun series and is bred to thrive in 6–8 hours of direct sunlight without fading or scorching. It performs beautifully in sunny borders, containers, and south-facing beds.
What does Chocolate Covered Cherry coleus look like?
Chocolate Covered Cherry coleus has deep burgundy-brown foliage with rich cherry-red and rose undertones, resembling the color of a dark chocolate-dipped cherry. The leaves have a velvety, jewel-toned appearance that intensifies in warm sunlight.
How do I grow Coleus Chocolate Mint from seed?
Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before your last frost date. Surface sow on moist seed-starting mix — do not cover seeds. Maintain 70–75°F soil temperature with a heat mat. Seeds germinate in 10–14 days. Harden off before transplanting to a sunny location.
Which chocolate coleus is better for containers?
Both perform excellently in containers. Chocolate Mint's lime-green margins make it a standout solo specimen or paired with bright flowers. Chocolate Covered Cherry pairs beautifully with chartreuse or gold companions for high-contrast combinations. Choose based on your color palette.
Are chocolate coleus seeds pelleted?
Yes — both Coleus Chocolate Mint and Chocolate Covered Cherry are available as pelleted seeds, making them much easier to handle and space accurately in seed trays. Pelleted coleus seeds are ideal for precision sowing without thinning waste.
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