Botanical Name: Plectranthus scutellarioides ‘Main Street Beale Street’

Common Name: Coleus

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

Size: 24–30" Tall × 18–24" Spread

Growth Habit: Upright, Vigorous, Well-Branched Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade (Excellent Sun Tolerance)

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

Water Needs: Moderate; Consistent Moisture for Best Performance

Bloom Season: Grown for Foliage (Spring through Fall)

Fertilizer: Light, Regular Feeding During Active Growth

Features: Deep Burgundy Centers with Bright Chartreuse Margins, Bold Contrast, Strong Stems, Excellent Heat Tolerance

Uses: Ideal for Containers, Landscape Beds, Mass Plantings, Borders, and High-Contrast Designs

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

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

More About Coleus ‘Main Street Beale Street’

Coleus ‘Main Street Beale Street’ is a high-impact foliage plant known for its dramatic contrast between deep burgundy centers and glowing chartreuse edges. The bold color pattern is crisp and defined, creating a striking look that reads clearly even from a distance.

As part of the Main Street series, this variety was bred for strong sun tolerance, upright structure, and landscape-scale performance. Unlike older coleus that faded or collapsed in full sun, ‘Beale Street’ maintains vivid color and clean form throughout the growing season.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Main Street Beale Street’ has been a consistently strong performer in full sun and mixed light conditions. It grows quickly, holds its upright habit without pinching, and maintains sharp color contrast even during peak summer heat.

We especially like its versatility in design. It works beautifully as a container centerpiece, a bold border plant, or a mass planting where its uniform habit creates a professional, intentional look. The chartreuse margins also make it an excellent companion to darker coleus, grasses, and flowering annuals.

Main Street Beale Street vs. Other Coleus

Within the Main Street Series, ‘Beale Street’ is bolder and darker than ‘Main Street Wall Street’, offering richer burgundy tones and stronger contrast. Where Wall Street reads structured and classic, Beale Street is more expressive, making it better for focal planting rather than mass repetition. This added depth gives Beale Street a stronger visual pull in mixed containers and high-contrast beds.

Compared to similarly dark upright varieties like ‘Defiance’, ‘Peter’s Wonder’, and ‘Down Town® Greenville’, Beale Street stands out for its cleaner color separation. Defiance leans moody and dramatic, while Peter’s Wonder introduces variegation that softens its presence. Beale Street remains bold without looking chaotic. Beale Street remains bold without looking chaotic, which makes it easier to pair with flowering annuals or ornamental grasses.

Against warm-toned FlameThrower™ varieties such as ‘Cajun Spice’, Beale Street feels cooler and more urban in character. Cajun Spice brings movement and flame-like color shifts, while Beale Street delivers controlled intensity — ideal for formal beds or modern containers. For gardeners looking for a dark, high-impact coleus with a refined, architectural presence, ‘Main Street Beale Street’ is an excellent choice.