Campfire Coleus, with its vibrant, fiery foliage, is a captivating choice for gardens and containers. Its unique coloration, featuring intense orange, red, and copper hues, adds a dramatic splash of color, making it a popular selection.
Understanding Campfire Coleus
Campfire Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘Campfire’) is an herbaceous perennial, often cultivated as an annual. It features velvety, serrated leaves displaying a rich spectrum of orange, copper, and red, often with hints of yellow. These colors deepen with greater sun exposure. This variety typically grows to about 20 inches tall with a similar spread, exhibiting a dense, mounded, and compact growth habit.
Essential Care for Campfire Coleus
Light Requirements
Campfire Coleus thrives in full sun to partial shade, with colors intensifying in brighter conditions. In hotter climates, afternoon shade can prevent leaf scorching. Insufficient light may lead to leggy growth and less vibrant foliage.
Watering Needs
Consistent moisture is important for Campfire Coleus, though it should never be waterlogged. The soil should remain evenly moist, but allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings is recommended. Container-grown plants may require more frequent watering, sometimes daily during hot or windy weather.
Soil Preferences
Campfire Coleus prefers rich, well-draining soil with ample organic matter. A pH range between 6.0 and 7.0 is generally suitable. Amending the soil with compost before planting promotes strong root growth. Good drainage is crucial, as the plant will not tolerate standing water.
Temperature and Humidity
This plant prefers warm temperatures and moderate to high humidity, with an optimal range of 70°F to 100°F (21°C to 38°C). Campfire Coleus is sensitive to cold and will not survive frost, requiring protection or cultivation as an annual in cooler climates.
Fertilization
Fertilizing Campfire Coleus can enhance growth, though it may not be strictly necessary if planted in rich soil. For container plants, apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at half-strength every two weeks. In garden beds, a monthly application of half-strength liquid or slow-release granular fertilizer at planting time is sufficient. Over-fertilization can diminish leaf color.
Planting and Propagating
When planting Campfire Coleus, ensure proper spacing for its mature size. Space individual plants approximately 16 inches apart in beds. For container planting, consider the mature spread of 14-24 inches to avoid overcrowding. Plant after the last spring frost when soil temperatures have warmed, as coleus dislikes cool soil.
Propagating Campfire Coleus is straightforward using stem cuttings. Select healthy stems with at least two sets of leaves and cut below a node. Cuttings root easily in water or moist potting mix. Once roots develop, typically within two to three weeks, new plants can be transplanted.
Pruning and Ongoing Maintenance
Regular pruning encourages a bushy, compact form and promotes new foliage growth. Pinching back growing tips, especially when young, increases branching and prevents leggy stems. When you pinch a stem, two new stems typically emerge from the node, leading to a denser plant. While Campfire Coleus produces small purple or violet-blue flowers, many gardeners pinch these off. Removing flower buds redirects the plant’s energy into foliage production, maintaining its vibrant leaf display.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Campfire Coleus is generally robust, but issues can arise. Leggy growth, characterized by long, sparse stems, indicates insufficient light, suggesting the plant needs a brighter location. Faded leaf colors also signal inadequate light or too much direct sun. Pests like aphids, whiteflies, or spider mites can affect coleus. Inspect plants regularly and address infestations with insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils.
Designing with Campfire Coleus
Campfire Coleus’s orange and copper tones add visual interest to garden settings. It performs well in containers, where its mounded form can serve as a “thriller” or “filler” element, contributing vibrant color and texture. In garden beds, it can be used as a border plant or in mass plantings for bold statements. Its heat and humidity tolerance makes it a reliable choice for summer displays. Companion plants with contrasting colors or textures, such as impatiens, bidens, sedge, caladiums, and hostas, create appealing combinations.