How to Grow Coleus Wizard Scarlet
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Coleus Wizard Scarlet
Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Wizard Scarlet'
flowerColeus Wizard Scarlet is a dramatic foliage plant featuring deep burgundy to scarlet leaves with striking color patterns and ruffled edges. This cultivar is prized for its intense red coloring and compact, bushy growth habit, making it ideal for containers, borders, and tropical gardens. It's valued primarily for its ornamental foliage rather than its small purple flowers.
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Example Coleus Wizard Scarlet timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Coleus Wizard Scarlet
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Coleus Wizard Scarlet blooms
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Coleus Wizard Scarlet dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 10-11; grown as an annual in cooler zones
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny plants with 2-4 true leaves emerging; pale green initial color gradually deepens
Maintain consistently moist soil and warm temperatures (70-75°F). Provide bright, indirect light. Use grow lights if natural light is insufficient
Vegetative
3-6 weeksRapid leaf and stem growth; distinctive scarlet and burgundy coloring appears; plant becomes bushy with multiple branch points
Pinch stem tips every 1-2 weeks to encourage branching and fuller form. Continue consistent watering and feeding with balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks
Mature Foliage
Ongoing indoors year-round; seasonal outdoorsPlant reaches full size (12-18 inches tall and wide) with densely packed ruffled scarlet leaves; color is most vibrant
Maintain pinching to prevent legginess. Continue regular watering and fertilizing. Provide stable light conditions and temperatures (65-75°F)
Flowering
2-4 weeks if flowers developSmall purple-blue flower spikes emerge from leaf axils; flowers are secondary to foliage appeal
Pinch off flower buds to redirect energy to foliage production and maintain compact growth. Flowers are not the main attraction of this cultivar
Propagation Ready
Ongoing as neededMature stems are suitable for taking cuttings; established plants can be divided or propagated
Take 3-4 inch stem cuttings from healthy growth. Root in water or moist soil medium. New plants develop roots in 1-2 weeks
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; isolate infested plants; remove affected foliage
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Increase humidity; spray with water mist; use miticide or neem oil if severe; improve air circulation
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; vacuum adults with handheld vacuum
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects
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Improve drainage; repot in fresh soil; reduce watering frequency; remove affected roots
Uses
Container & Houseplant Ornament
HouseholdColeus Wizard Scarlet is an exceptional choice for pots, hanging baskets, and indoor displays. Its vibrant scarlet foliage provides year-round color indoors and can brighten patios, porches, and tropical gardens throughout the warm season. [source]
Cut Foliage & Floral Arrangements
CraftThe striking scarlet leaves make beautiful additions to cut flower arrangements and dried foliage displays. Stems remain colorful and structurally interesting in arrangements for 1-2 weeks. [source]
Pollinator Garden Component
WildlifeWhile grown primarily for foliage, the small purple flowers attract bees and other pollinators, contributing to a balanced garden ecosystem when flowers are allowed to bloom. [source]
Tropical & Shade Garden Design
HouseholdPerfect for creating bold color contrasts in shade gardens and tropical landscapes. The scarlet foliage pairs dramatically with silvery, golden, or deep green companion plants. [source]
Edible Coleus Species (Limited)
CulinaryWhile Coleus Wizard Scarlet is ornamental, some coleus species are edible and used in Asian cuisine. Standard ornamental varieties like this one are not typically consumed, though they are non-toxic. [source]
Harvest Tips
Coleus is grown for foliage, not harvest in the traditional sense. Regularly pinch stem tips (top ¼-½ inch) throughout the growing season to encourage branching and fuller plants. Remove any flower spikes to maintain compact form. Take stem cuttings any time for propagation. Pinched stems can be discarded or propagated in water to create new plants
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Coleus plants have been cultivated since Victorian times and were prized 'foliage plants' before flowering houseplants became fashionable. The 'Wizard' series is a modern breeding achievement specifically developed for intense color saturation and compact growth.
- 🌱 The vivid scarlet pigmentation in Coleus foliage comes from betalain and anthocyanin pigments. Light intensity directly affects color intensity—plants grown in brighter conditions (but not direct sun) display more dramatic, deeper red coloring than those in dim light.
- 🌱 Coleus can be propagated so easily from cuttings that a single plant can generate dozens of clones in just a few weeks of rooting in water, making it an economical way to fill large gardens or share plants with friends.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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