How to Grow Burgundy Coleus Black Dragon

Burgundy Coleus Black Dragon

Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Black Dragon'

herb

Black Dragon is a dramatic coleus cultivar featuring deep burgundy to nearly black foliage with contrasting lime-green or chartreuse veining and leaf margins. This tender perennial is prized as an ornamental houseplant and outdoor bedding plant for its striking, deeply lobed leaves and compact growth habit. It adds bold color and texture to gardens, containers, and interior spaces.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Bright indirect light; can tolerate 3-4 hours of morning sun; too much direct sun may fade dark coloring

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water when top inch of soil feels dry; more frequent watering in hot weather and containers

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Spacing: 9-12 inches apart inches

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Days to maturity: 30-45 days to desired size (fast-growing)

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Planting depth: Surface sow or plant transplants at same depth as original pot

Soil

Type: Well-draining potting soil or garden soil with organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Perlite or sand for drainage Peat moss

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 10b-12; grown as annual in cooler zones or kept indoors

10b 11a 11b 12a 12b

Growth Stages

Seedling/Propagation

1-2 weeks

Tiny seedlings or fresh stem cuttings with minimal foliage; very delicate

Keep soil consistently moist; maintain 70-75°F; provide bright indirect light; mist lightly to prevent drying; propagate from cuttings in water or moist soil (roots appear in 1-2 weeks)

Establishment

2-3 weeks

Young plants developing true leaves; color begins showing; 2-4 inches tall

Gradually reduce misting; begin light feeding with diluted liquid fertilizer; ensure good air circulation; pinch tips to encourage branching

Vegetative/Bushy Growth

4-8 weeks

Plant rapidly fills out with branching stems and increasingly colored leaves; rich burgundy and black tones deepening

Pinch or prune regularly to promote bushier shape and prevent legginess; feed every 1-2 weeks with balanced or high-nitrogen fertilizer; maintain consistent moisture; rotate container for even light exposure

Flowering (Optional)

Throughout growing season if not removed

Small spikes of pale purple or white flowers may appear from leaf axils

Pinch off flower spikes to direct energy into foliage production; flowering is not the main attraction and reduces leaf quality

Mature/Display

Variable; lasts until frost or indefinitely indoors

Full, dense plant with deep burgundy-black foliage and lime veining; 12-18 inches tall and wide depending on pruning

Continue regular pinching to maintain compact shape; monitor for pests; reduce watering slightly if temperatures cool; can be brought indoors before frost; allow some foliage to showcase color

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lime green sweet potato vine Dusty miller Caladiums Impatiens Begonias Silver-leafed plants Complementary dark-foliaged plants

Avoid planting near:

Strong competitors for nutrients Extremely heat-loving plants in same small container without shade provision

Common Pests

Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; isolate affected plants; wipe leaves with alcohol-soaked cotton swab
Increase humidity and mist foliage; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; ensure good air circulation
Remove manually with rubbing alcohol; treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap
Yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; improve air circulation

Uses

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Ornamental Foliage & Container Design

Craft

Black Dragon coleus is a showstopping foliage plant for mixed containers, garden beds, and tropical-themed displays. Its deep burgundy-black leaves with lime veining create dramatic color contrasts and add texture to landscape designs. [source]

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Indoor Houseplant & Air Purification

Household

Excellent as a tropical houseplant for bright indoor locations, adding visual interest to living spaces year-round. Can be kept on windowsills or shelves to brighten indoor décor with bold foliage color. [source]

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Edible Leaves (Mild Use)

Culinary

While primarily ornamental, coleus leaves are edible and have been traditionally used in some Southeast Asian cuisines. Leaves have a mild, slightly bitter flavor and can be added to salads or teas in small quantities. [source]

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Traditional Herbal Remedy

Medicinal

Some coleus species have been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Southeast Asian medicine. Black Dragon coleus shares heritage with species valued for potential digestive and respiratory support, though evidence is limited. [source]

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Pollinator Support

Wildlife

When allowed to flower, the small spikes attract pollinators including bees and butterflies, providing supplemental forage in late summer and early fall. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Coleus is primarily grown for foliage, not harvest. Pinch or prune stem tips regularly (every 2-3 weeks) to maintain shape and bushiness—these pinched stems can be propagated in water. Remove any flower spikes as they appear to encourage more foliage production. For propagation, take 3-4 inch cuttings in spring or summer and root in water or moist soil.

Fun Facts

🌱 Coleus was so popular as a Victorian houseplant that it was called the 'poor man's croton,' valued for dramatic foliage color at a fraction of the cost of true crotons.
🌱 Black Dragon coleus can be propagated infinitely from stem cuttings in just water—a cutting rooted last week can produce dozens of new plants, making it ideal for sharing with fellow gardeners.
🌱 The plant's scientific name Plectranthus comes from Greek words meaning 'spur' and 'flower,' referring to the spurred flowers hidden within the inflorescence.

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