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How to Grow Painted Leaf Kong Red

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Painted Leaf Kong Red

Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Kong Red'

flower

Kong Red is a stunning ornamental foliage plant in the Coleus family, prized for its large, velvety deep red to burgundy leaves with contrasting lighter veining and edges. It grows as a tender perennial (annual in cold climates) and develops a compact, bushy habit reaching 12-18 inches tall and wide. The dramatic foliage makes it an excellent choice for containers, hanging baskets, and garden beds requiring eye-catching color and texture.

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Example Painted Leaf Kong Red timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Painted Leaf Kong Red

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Painted Leaf Kong Red blooms

    Around May 17

    ≈ 30 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Painted Leaf Kong Red dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Bright indirect light to partial shade; 4-6 hours of filtered sunlight daily. Tolerates shade better than most Coleus varieties. Avoid intense direct afternoon sun which may fade leaf color.
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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water when top inch of soil feels dry. More frequent watering needed in hot weather and for container plants. Reduce watering in winter if grown indoors.
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Spacing: 12 inches
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Days to maturity: 30-45 days to reach decorative size
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Planting depth: 0.25 inches for seeds; transplants set at soil level

Soil

Type: Well-draining potting soil or amended garden soil
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost or aged bark mulch Perlite for container drainage Balanced organic fertilizer

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 10-11; grown as an annual in cooler zones or brought indoors for winter

10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny plants with 2-4 true leaves emerge from seed or small rooted cuttings develop initial foliage

Maintain warm temperatures (70-75°F), high humidity, and consistent moisture. Provide bright indirect light. Avoid damping off by ensuring good air circulation.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-6 weeks

Rapid leaf development with stems elongating; true Kong Red coloring emerges as leaves mature and expand

Pinch growing tips regularly to encourage bushiness and prevent legginess. Feed with balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Maintain warm conditions (65-75°F minimum).

3

Mature Foliage

Ongoing throughout season

Plant reaches full size with large, deeply colored red leaves, dense branching, and full bushy shape

Continue pinching to maintain compact form. Monitor for pest infestations. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks during growing season. Remove any flower spikes to prioritize foliage.

4

Flowering

Variable, spring through fall if not removed

Small pale lavender or white flower spikes form at stem tips (ornamentally insignificant compared to foliage)

Pinch off flower spikes as they appear to redirect energy to leaf production and maintain foliage quality.

5

Dormancy/Decline

3-5 months in winter regions

In cooler climates or winter, growth slows significantly; foliage may pale and leaves drop if exposed to temperatures below 50°F

Move plants indoors before first frost. Reduce watering and fertilizer. Cut back heavily in spring before new growth emerges.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Impatiens Begonias Caladiums Sweet Potato Vine Dusty Miller Ornamental Grasses Ferns Hostas

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring dry soil conditions Drought-tolerant succulents in the same container Compete with aggressive spreading plants

Common Pests

  • Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly. Isolate affected plants. Remove with alcohol-soaked cotton swab for light infestations.

  • Increase humidity by misting foliage. Spray with neem oil or miticide. Improve air circulation to reduce conditions they favor.

  • Use yellow sticky traps. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Prune heavily infested leaves.

  • Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering. Repot in fresh soil if roots are mushy. Remove affected portions.

Uses

🏠

Container and Landscape Accent

Household

Kong Red's striking deep red foliage serves as a dramatic focal point in containers, hanging baskets, and mixed borders. Its bold color provides vibrant contrast to green plants and complements silvery foliage like Dusty Miller. [source]

🎨

Floral Design and Arrangement

Craft

The large, velvety leaves are excellent for tropical-themed floral arrangements, wreaths, and decorative displays. Leaves can be pressed or dried for crafts. [source]

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Indoor Houseplant

Household

Kong Red thrives as an indoor container plant in bright indirect light, making it ideal for patios, porches, and interior spaces during cooler months. [source]

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Edible Ornamental (Caution)

Culinary

While some Coleus species are edible and used in Asian cuisine, Kong Red is primarily an ornamental variety. Leaves may be used in small quantities for flavor, but verify safety and check for any pesticide treatments before consuming. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Though flowering is intentionally suppressed for foliage quality, if flowers do appear, they attract bees and other pollinators. Leaving some flowers unharvested supports local pollinator populations. [source]

Harvest Tips

Kong Red is grown for foliage rather than harvest. Pinch stem tips regularly (every 2-3 weeks) to encourage bushiness and maintain shape. Remove pinched stems and use them for propagation by water rooting. Deadhead flower spikes promptly. Take cuttings in late summer to propagate plants for winter indoor growth or next season's garden.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Kong Red is part of the Kong series of Coleus varieties, bred specifically for their exceptionally large, velvety leaves—some reaching up to 6 inches across—making them among the largest-leaved Coleus cultivars available.
  • 🌱 Coleus leaves contain oils that produce their brilliant colors through anthocyanins and carotenoids, the same pigments that color red peppers and tomatoes, and these pigments deepen in response to light exposure.
  • 🌱 Kong Red can be propagated infinitely from stem cuttings rooted in water, making it possible to save a favorite plant indefinitely and share it with friends—a common practice among gardeners for heritage plant preservation.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Damping Off Deadhead Partial Shade Perennial True Leaves
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