Coleus vs Morning Glory

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

Coleus

Coleus scutellarioides

Lamiaceae · flowers

Low Maintenance

Morning Glory

Ipomoea tricolor

Convolvulaceae · vines

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Coleus (Zones 10-11)

Morning Glory (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 10–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Coleus	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Coleus scutellarioides	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Lamiaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	flowers	vines
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	2'	10'
Spread	1' 6"	2'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Blue (insignificant)	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Central America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Coleus

No — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Morning Glory

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — 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.

Morning Glory

✓Nick or soak seeds overnight for faster germination.
✓Provide sturdy support.
✓Self-seeds prolifically — can become invasive.
✓Full sun is essential for abundant blooms.

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 Morning Glory if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 10–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View ColeusProfile →View Morning GloryProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Coleus and Morning Glory grow in the same hardiness zone?

Coleus grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Morning Glory grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 10 through 11.

Do Coleus and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Coleus or Morning Glory?

Morning Glory grows taller at 10' compared to Coleus at 2'. Morning Glory spreads 2' while Coleus spreads 1' 6".

Are Coleus and Morning Glory deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Coleus or Morning Glory?

Both Coleus and Morning Glory have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Coleus	Morning Glory
Scientific Name	Coleus scutellarioides	Ipomoea tricolor
Family	Lamiaceae	Convolvulaceae
Category	flowers	vines
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Well-drained
Height	2'	10'
Spread	1' 6"	2'
Bloom Season	Summer	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Blue (insignificant)	Blue, Purple, Pink, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Central America
Maintenance	Low	Low

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.

Morning Glory

✓Nick or soak seeds overnight for faster germination.
✓Provide sturdy support.
✓Self-seeds prolifically — can become invasive.
✓Full sun is essential for abundant blooms.

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 Morning Glory if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 10–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Coleus and Morning Glory grow in the same hardiness zone?

Coleus grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Morning Glory grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 10 through 11.

Do Coleus and Morning Glory have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Coleus or Morning Glory?

Morning Glory grows taller at 10' compared to Coleus at 2'. Morning Glory spreads 2' while Coleus spreads 1' 6".

Are Coleus and Morning Glory deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Coleus or Morning Glory?

Both Coleus and Morning Glory have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.