Coleus: Black Dragon (solenostemon scutellarioides)
SKU:
$1.00
$1.00 - $5.60
$1.00
per item
The shade loving variety Black Dragon Coleus, also known as Painted Nettle, is an annual/tender perennial foliage plant that produces 6” dazzling, deep burgundy centered leaves that are surrounded by purplish black wavy edges! This plant will snuggle into a nice shaded area outdoors or can can jazz up any area indoors as a stunning houseplants.
Scientific Name: Solenostemon scutellarioides
Grown as: Annual, Tender Perennial
Bloom: Spring through Fall
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Water: Moist, well-drained, pH 5.6 - 7.5
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. After the inconspicuous flowers fade, the tiny seeds will develop in the dried flower head. Shake the ripening plant over a container to remove the mature seed. Keep the seed in a cool, dry place.
Containers?: Yes. Fills a 6- to 8-inch pot beautifully.
Height: 12”
Spacing: 10”
Sow Depth: On soil surface.
Produces: 6” dazzling, deep burgundy centered leaves that are surrounded by purplish black wavy edges
USDA Grow Zone: 4-10
Grown as: Annual, Tender Perennial
Bloom: Spring through Fall
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Water: Moist, well-drained, pH 5.6 - 7.5
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. After the inconspicuous flowers fade, the tiny seeds will develop in the dried flower head. Shake the ripening plant over a container to remove the mature seed. Keep the seed in a cool, dry place.
Containers?: Yes. Fills a 6- to 8-inch pot beautifully.
Height: 12”
Spacing: 10”
Sow Depth: On soil surface.
Produces: 6” dazzling, deep burgundy centered leaves that are surrounded by purplish black wavy edges
USDA Grow Zone: 4-10
Direct sow 6-8 weeks before the last frost in early spring, pressing into the surface of the soil. Keep a seed spacing of 10" and keep the soil lightly moist until germination. This plant can also be started indoors . If growing indoors for houseplants, sow at any time, placing the young plants in a well-lit window.
Water seedlings regularly until they become established. This plant prefers consistently moist yet well draining soil, and does not do well in either soggy or dry soil. To focus the growth on the ornamental leaves and encourage bushiness, pinch off the growing tips of the stems. This plant makes an excellent choice for borders and containers, as well as making a good house plant.
For bushier, fuller plants, keep the growing tips pinched. To extend the lush color into fall, remove any stray flower spikes that emerge, they take energy away from maintaining the gorgeous foliage, and the flowers are insignificant. Flower buds should be pinched off as soon as they develop. If a coleus plant is allowed to seed, it has completed its life cycle and will die. Frost will cause them to die immediately.
For bushier, fuller plants, keep the growing tips pinched. To extend the lush color into fall, remove any stray flower spikes that emerge, they take energy away from maintaining the gorgeous foliage, and the flowers are insignificant. Flower buds should be pinched off as soon as they develop. If a coleus plant is allowed to seed, it has completed its life cycle and will die. Frost will cause them to die immediately.
For fresh bouquets, strip the foliage that will fall below the water level, and place in water immediately.
After the inconspicuous flowers fade, the tiny seeds will develop in the dried flower head. Shake the ripening plant over a container to remove the mature seed. Keep the seed in a cool, dry place.