Coleus Improved Rainbow Mix

Coleus is grown entirely for its leaves, which come in combinations of crimson, lime, chocolate, gold and near-black, often three or four colours in a single leaf. Every seedling from a packet turns out differently, so a tray of them is a small experiment.

It flowers eventually, and the flowers are insignificant blue spikes that drain the plant and dull the leaf colour. Pinch them out as they appear. Pinching the growing tips too keeps the plant bushy rather than leggy.

Unusually for something this colourful it prefers shade to full sun, which scorches the leaves and bleaches the colour. Bring it indoors before the first frost and it will live on as a houseplant for years.