Coleus vs Red Maple

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

Coleus

Coleus scutellarioides

Lamiaceae · flowers

Low Maintenance

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Aceraceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Coleus (Zones 10-11)

Red Maple (Zones 3-9)

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

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Coleus	Red Maple
Scientific Name	Coleus scutellarioides	Acer rubrum
Family	Lamiaceae	Aceraceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Adaptable
Height	2'	70'
Spread	1' 6"	40'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	Blue (insignificant)	Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Coleus

No — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Red Maple

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.

Red Maple

✓Tolerates a wide range of soils.
✓Surface roots can be problematic in lawns.
✓Prune in summer to avoid bleeding sap.
✓Fast growing — 13-24 inches per year.

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 Red Maple if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

View ColeusProfile →View Red MapleProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Coleus and Red Maple grow in the same hardiness zone?

Coleus grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Red Maple grows in zones 3-9. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Coleus and Red Maple have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Coleus or Red Maple?

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Coleus at 2'. Red Maple spreads 40' while Coleus spreads 1' 6".

Are Coleus and Red Maple deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Coleus or Red Maple?

Both Coleus and Red Maple 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	Red Maple
Scientific Name	Coleus scutellarioides	Acer rubrum
Family	Lamiaceae	Aceraceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	⛅ Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Adaptable
Height	2'	70'
Spread	1' 6"	40'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring
Bloom Color	Blue (insignificant)	Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Eastern North 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.

Red Maple

✓Tolerates a wide range of soils.
✓Surface roots can be problematic in lawns.
✓Prune in summer to avoid bleeding sap.
✓Fast growing — 13-24 inches per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Coleus and Red Maple grow in the same hardiness zone?

Coleus grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Red Maple grows in zones 3-9. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Coleus and Red Maple have the same sun and water needs?

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

Which grows taller, Coleus or Red Maple?

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Coleus at 2'. Red Maple spreads 40' while Coleus spreads 1' 6".

Are Coleus and Red Maple deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Coleus or Red Maple?

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