Coleus vs Delphinium

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Coleus

Coleus scutellarioides

Lamiaceae · flowers

Low Maintenance

Delphinium

Delphinium elatum

Ranunculaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantHigh Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Coleus (Zones 10-11)

Delphinium (Zones 3-7)

No zone overlap — these plants cannot be grown in the same climate

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Coleus	Delphinium
Scientific Name	Coleus scutellarioides	Delphinium elatum
Family	Lamiaceae	Ranunculaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	2'	6'
Spread	1' 6"	2'
Bloom Season	Summer	Early Summer
Bloom Color	Blue (insignificant)	Blue, Purple, White, Pink
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	High

Special Traits

Coleus

No — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Delphinium

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Coleus

✓Pinch flowers to encourage leaf growth.
✓Modern varieties are more sun tolerant.
✓Root cuttings easily in water.
✓Pinch growing tips for bushy form.
✓Bring indoors as houseplant.

Delphinium

✓Stake tall varieties.
✓Cut back after first bloom for possible rebloom.
✓Needs cool summers — struggles in heat.
✓Slugs love young growth.
✓All parts are toxic.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Coleus if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in part shade with medium water in zones 10–11.

Choose Delphinium if you don't mind high maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–7.

View ColeusProfile →View DelphiniumProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Coleus and Delphinium grow in the same hardiness zone?

Coleus grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Delphinium grows in zones 3-7. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Coleus and Delphinium have the same sun and water needs?

Coleus needs part shade and medium water, while Delphinium needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Coleus or Delphinium?

Delphinium grows taller at 6' compared to Coleus at 2'. Delphinium spreads 2' while Coleus spreads 1' 6".

Are Coleus and Delphinium deer resistant?

Delphinium is deer resistant, but Coleus is not. If deer are a concern, Delphinium is the better choice, or protect Coleus with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Coleus or Delphinium?

Coleus has low maintenance while Delphinium has high maintenance. Coleus may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

Explore More Data Tools

For adjacent public-data tools, methodology notes, and network updates, visit DataPeek Facts.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Coleus	Delphinium
Scientific Name	Coleus scutellarioides	Delphinium elatum
Family	Lamiaceae	Ranunculaceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Rich, Well-drained
Height	2'	6'
Spread	1' 6"	2'
Bloom Season	Summer	Early Summer
Bloom Color	Blue (insignificant)	Blue, Purple, White, Pink
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	High

Care Tips

Coleus

✓Pinch flowers to encourage leaf growth.
✓Modern varieties are more sun tolerant.
✓Root cuttings easily in water.
✓Pinch growing tips for bushy form.
✓Bring indoors as houseplant.

Delphinium

✓Stake tall varieties.
✓Cut back after first bloom for possible rebloom.
✓Needs cool summers — struggles in heat.
✓Slugs love young growth.
✓All parts are toxic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Coleus and Delphinium grow in the same hardiness zone?

Coleus grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Delphinium grows in zones 3-7. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Coleus and Delphinium have the same sun and water needs?

Coleus needs part shade and medium water, while Delphinium needs full sun and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Coleus or Delphinium?

Delphinium grows taller at 6' compared to Coleus at 2'. Delphinium spreads 2' while Coleus spreads 1' 6".

Are Coleus and Delphinium deer resistant?

Delphinium is deer resistant, but Coleus is not. If deer are a concern, Delphinium is the better choice, or protect Coleus with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Coleus or Delphinium?

Coleus has low maintenance while Delphinium has high maintenance. Coleus may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.