Botanical Name: Plectranthus scutellarioides ‘Bonnie Gold’

Common Name: Coleus

Hardiness Zone: Annual in Most Climates; Perennial in Warm Regions (USDA Zones 10–11)

Size: 16–24" Tall × 18–24" Spread

Growth Habit: Upright, Bushy, Well-Branched Habit

Sunlight: Partial Shade to Full Shade; Tolerates Morning Sun

Soil: Prefers Moist, Well-Drained, Organic-Rich Soil

Water Needs: Moderate; Even Moisture for Best Color

Bloom Season: Grown for Foliage (Spring through Fall)

Fertilizer: Light, Regular Feeding During Active Growth

Features: Golden-Yellow to Chartreuse Foliage with Subtle Red Veining, Bright Color in Shade, Classic Coleus Look

Uses: Ideal for Containers, Shaded Beds, Borders, Accent Plantings, and Brightening Dark Areas

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Permitted

See our complete Coleus Plant Guide for in depth care details.

More About Coleus ‘Bonnie Gold’

Coleus ‘Bonnie Gold’ is a cheerful, light-loving shade coleus valued for its warm golden-yellow foliage and soft red veining. The leaves glow in lower light conditions, making this variety especially effective at brightening shaded beds, patios, and north-facing containers. Its coloration reads clean and luminous rather than harsh, giving it a refined, ornamental presence.

This variety develops into a full, bushy plant with good natural branching and a balanced shape. While it prefers protection from strong afternoon sun, ‘Bonnie Gold’ performs reliably in partial shade and filtered light, where its foliage color remains at peak intensity throughout the season.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, Coleus ‘Bonnie Gold’ has been one of the most dependable bright-foliage coleus for shade. It fills containers evenly, maintains consistent color, and avoids the leaf scorch or fading common in lighter-colored varieties grown in the wrong light. The plant stays attractive from planting through late summer with minimal maintenance.

From a design standpoint, ‘Bonnie Gold’ works as a natural highlighter. It pairs beautifully with deep burgundy, purple, blue, and dark green foliage, creating contrast without overwhelming surrounding plants. We especially like using it as a mid-layer accent in mixed containers or as a repeating element in shaded borders.

Bonnie Gold vs. Other Coleus

‘Bonnie Gold’ occupies the middle ground between trailing and upright coleus, offering more flexibility than strict trailers like ‘Meandering Linda’ but more movement than rigid forms like ‘Main Street Wall Street’. This in-between habit allows it to adapt easily to both containers and landscape beds without looking out of place.

Compared to other gold-toned varieties like ‘Pineapple’, ‘Volcanica™ Wasabi’, and ‘ChargedUp™ Electric Lime’, Bonnie Gold reads warmer and softer. It blends rather than contrasts. This makes it especially useful in designs where foliage needs to complement flowering plants instead of competing with them.

Against bolder varieties such as ‘Down Town® Vegas Neon’ and ‘FlameThrower™ Salsa Verde’, Bonnie Gold is calmer and more traditional, making it ideal for conservative plantings. For gardeners looking for a versatile gold-toned coleus that blends beautifully while still adding warmth and texture, ‘Bonnie Gold’ is a dependable choice.