Coleus Black Dragon: photos, care features, growing from seeds

The coleus flower is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family (in other words, Lamiaceae). Its homeland is in the Asian and African tropics, it is also found in the Indian archipelago, and also grows in Australia.

The coleus plant is a little similar to the familiar nettle, you will see this by studying the photos of flowers accompanying the article. This is a lush shrub with ribbed stems 30-50 cm high. Most often, it has a heart-shaped leaf blade with spectacular patterns and small teeth along the edge.

The leaves are pleasantly velvety to the touch, and the color is bright and contrasting. The options for foliage shades are strikingly diverse: the color of coleus can be purple, burgundy, red, pink, yellow, green, violet.

Small coleus flowers are blue or purple in color with some variation in shades. They are collected in complex inflorescences resembling spikelets. Flower growers call them “panicles” and try to remove them as quickly as possible, since such “arrows” do not have decorative value, but they take a lot of energy from the plant.

Growing coleus from seeds

You need to sow the seeds at the end of March in order to get a large and strong bush by the time it is planted in open ground. The soil mixture needs to be light and nutritious. The combination of turf soil, peat and humus will provide small seeds with everything they need for germination. There is no need to deepen the seeds into the soil; you can lightly sprinkle them with sand. Seedlings should germinate under glass in a warm place with low lighting. You need to monitor soil moisture daily.

Seed shoots

With the appearance of the first shoots, the glass must be removed and the pots moved to a well-lit place. The optimal temperature for seedlings is 19 degrees.

When the seedlings are one month old, they are ready to be planted into individual pots of small diameter (up to 7 cm). You need to care for such seedlings like an adult plant. At two months of age, the nettle should be transplanted into a larger pot with a diameter of up to 12 cm and the apical shoot should be pinched for bushiness.

Common types and varieties of coleus with photos

Coleus Blume (aka Coleus Blume) is one of the most common varieties. Can reach 80 cm in height. It has ribbed tetrahedral stems. The photo of Coleus bloome shows that its ovoid leaves with a pointed apex can be colored in red or yellow shades, as well as white, purple or emerald with red or yellow spots. The flowers are lilac-lilac in the shape of a complex spike;
Coleus Wizard is a large group of varieties. They grow up to 30 cm in height, have medium-sized leaves with slight pubescence. The group includes such varieties as "Coral Sunrise" ("Coral Sunrise") - shrubs of green, brown and pink colors; “Velvet Red” - bright red varieties with a pink center and veins of the same color, “Jade” - green plants with a yellow core;
Coleus Black Dragon (Black Dragon, Dragon black) is one of the most spectacular varieties and this is easy to see from the photo. The curly and ruffled dark purple leaves have a bright or pale pink center. The shape of the leaves of the black dragon coleus can be either oblong or medium in length, with fringed edges. The inflorescences are blue and spike-shaped;

Coleus forskohlii - also called tropical mint. It is used not only for decorative purposes, but also in Ayurvedic medicine. Externally, it is most often distinguished by a light green edge of ovoid leaves and a bright red or purple center. The shape also has notches, although not so clearly expressed;
Coleus Hybrid - grows in height from 50 to 80 cm. The straight or curly succulent stem has fine pubescence. The wide leaves are oval or ovoid in shape and have wavy edges. The hairs on their surface are sparse, heterogeneous - long and short. The color is varied - it can be green, red, purple and other shades. The flowers are collected in a complex cluster. There are many of them, but they also do not have much decorative value;
Coleus Rainbow is a compact variety that can stretch up only 30 cm. It got its name for the combination of many colors on its leaves. They can be green and yellow, or red and burgundy. They are broadly oval in shape, with corrugated edges. The inflorescences have a lilac-blue tint and are also collected in spikes;
Coleus canine is a low-growing plant up to 15 cm in height. It blooms with blue, less often - yellow flowers. Most often it combines a range of green and red on its leaves. It is also famous for the fact that its smell repels cats. Therefore, it is better for the owners of these pets not to keep Coleus Canine at home;
Coleus Avatar - has large and wide rounded leaves with a pronounced surface texture. In the middle of the leaf there is an abundance of green and yellow specks, the edges are painted dark purple. In general, it is a densely branched and fairly large bush;
Coleus Russian size is the largest variety, its leaves reach the size of a human palm. The plant branches well, has leaves with a pronounced curly edge and a bright combination of colors that create unique patterns on the surface of the leaf.

General description of the Black Dragon coleus variety

The stem is tetrahedral, ribbed, not pubescent, woody at the base.

The surface of the leaf plate is velvety with mesh veins. The size of some reaches 15 cm. The structure of the leaves is very similar to nettles. Their distinctive feature from other varieties is their shape, close to an oval with large rounded teeth along the edge. They have a beautiful red-burgundy color. Sometimes the outer part turns brown. Due to the depth and richness of the color, the variety was called Black Dragon.

The bush is formed small, but with a very lush crown. Height 30-36 cm, width 25-30 cm.

The flowers are small, light blue, collected in inflorescences. The pistil with fused stamens looks like a case, which is how the name is translated - Coleus. The seed is small.

Reproduction methods and features of planting coleus

There is nothing complicated about the issue of propagating coleus - there are two ways.

The first of them is sowing seeds for seedlings, the second is cuttings.

Each gardener chooses the most suitable method for propagating a flower. After all, any of them is so simple that even beginners in this matter can do it.

Propagation by seeds

The optimal time for growing from seeds is the end of March.

The correct sowing process is carried out as follows:

Drainage is poured into the bottom of containers (boxes, pots, plastic cups).
Fertile soil is poured on top. You can purchase it in specialized stores.
Next, the ground is watered and the seeds are laid on the surface.
It is recommended to lightly sprinkle them with sand and moisten them with a spray bottle.
Containers are covered with glass or film.
In order for seeds to germinate, they need warmth and humidity. That is why containers are removed to places where the air temperature is at least +20 +25°C.
The first shoots will not appear too quickly. This will take approximately 7-10 days.

Once the sprouts have appeared, they require plenty of sunlight. The containers are transferred to a windowsill or other place where there is enough light.

Make sure that cold air is blowing from the window. Otherwise, there is a risk of freezing seedlings that have not yet matured.

At this stage of development, it is important to maintain a temperature of +18°C. Lack of light and high temperature will cause the seedlings to begin to stretch.

Coleus is planted in a permanent place at about the age of 1.5-2 months. During all this time, the seedlings need to be watered regularly.

In addition, if the sprouts are planted too often, they need to be planted in separate containers.

If this is not done, the seedlings will not be able to form a powerful root system.

Growing from seeds in peat tablets

In addition to growing seedlings in containers, gardeners often use other means.

For example, you can get coleus from seeds that are placed directly into peat tablets.

Stylish models of women's jogger trousers and what they are, what to wear with fashionable trousers

In order to do this, you must follow the instructions:

The peat tablets are watered until they become moist. The compressed peat begins to swell. The tablets increase in size - they become several times larger.
If watering has been abundant, it is necessary to remove excess moisture.
Planting material is distributed over the surface, leaving small gaps between the seeds. Next they are lightly pressed into the soil.
The tablets are placed in a tray and covered with film.
Place the container in a warm place until the seeds germinate.

When growing using peat tablets, the most important thing is to avoid over-wetting them. Drying out the peat is also undesirable.

It is necessary to regularly check the condition of the tablets and moisten them approximately once every 3-4 days.

Propagation by cuttings and further care

A fairly simple way is to propagate coleus from cuttings. You can start it from the end of February until the first days of April.

For this method, it is necessary to prepare cuttings at least 10 cm long. It is recommended to choose a strong shoot.

You need to break off the lower leaves. Next, it is placed in a container of water or soil.

With the first method, it is important to avoid direct sunlight. Also, the water must be changed regularly to clean water. It is changed approximately once every 3 days.

The procedure is repeated until roots appear.

Adding root formation stimulants to the container with water and cuttings will help speed up the process.

It could be Kornevin or Humisol.

The use of vermiculite has also worked well.

It is simply poured into a container of water and stirred thoroughly, then the cutting is dipped into the solution. After the roots appear, they are transplanted into a pot.

If the cuttings are rooted in the ground, then it is recommended to cover them with film.

The air temperature should be about +20°C.

The roots will begin to grow in 7-10 days.

After this, the seedling is ready for transplanting to a permanent place of growth.

Experienced gardeners recommend cuttings towards the end of summer.

This will allow you to propagate the flower, grow it for flower beds, flower beds, or use it as a houseplant.

As for an already full-fledged flower with foliage and a powerful root system, it requires some care. Coleus loves the sun.

If it receives plenty of light, its foliage will be colorful and its patterns clear and vibrant.

If possible, it is recommended to place the flower pot in a sunny place in the morning and move it to the shade at lunchtime.

This measure is necessary for the active growth and development of the plant. Keep a close eye on coleus. Sometimes it happens that it begins to shed some of its leaves.

This is due to a lack of sunlight.

Be sure to find a more suitable sunny place for it.

Planting at home and in the Black Dragon garden

At home, coleus can be planted in two ways: seeds or cuttings.

The first one is good for spring. First you need to prepare the soil: neutral or slightly acidic pH 5.4-7.0; if the pH is high, add ash. If the soil is not purchased, it must be disinfected. Heat in the oven at +200 °C or pour boiling water over it.

The soil is moistened and planting material is laid out. The distance between the seeds is 2-3 cm. Sprinkle a small layer of sand on top. Next, the container is covered with film or glass. Place in a warm place, optimal temperature: +20…+22 °C.

After the appearance of the first shoots, after 15-20 days, you need to monitor the humidity of the substrate and regularly ventilate the seedlings. Remove the film for 2 minutes at first, gradually increasing the opening time. When a pair of true leaves appear, pick. You will need to plant small plants 2-3 more times, acquiring an increasingly larger container.

You need to water it carefully every two days, trying not to get any liquid on the leaves. When the bushes grow to a height of 15-20 cm, they are transplanted into permanent pots.

It is better to plant seedlings in open ground in mid-spring, when the ground has warmed up and the plants have become stronger and will tolerate temperature fluctuations well. The main thing is to protect the seedlings from drafts and direct sunlight.

Another way is to grow using cuttings. The best time is the end of winter, in February. Shoots without flowers and buds are rooted; there must be at least two pairs of leaves, and the length of the cut part is at least 15 cm.

After cutting, place the cutting in water. You can add a drug to it to form the root system, for example, Kornevin or Humisol, following the instructions. The fluid needs to be changed every 2-3 days.

After 1.5 months, with the appearance of roots, they are transplanted into the ground. It is necessary to deepen into the ground until the first pair of leaves.

Signs and superstitions that coleus gave rise to

It is not known for certain why the handsome coleus “overgrown” with negative signs. Some believe that its flowering brings misfortune, while others associate the brightness of its foliage with fire. Others say that “house nettle” will bring poverty to its owner or drive a man out of the house...

However, many flower growers, communicating with colleagues on specialized forums, say that they are long-time fans and owners of a wide variety of coleus, and over all these years, none of the above-described troubles have happened to them.

Botanical description of coleus

Coleus is a plant that grows as a deciduous shrub, reaching a height of approximately 80 cm - 1 m. It comes from areas of Asia and Central Africa.

But, despite the fact that the culture was “born” in very warm tropical regions, in everyday life it is not distinguished by whimsicality. Great for home and garden growing.

At the same time, the varieties of the species are diverse, the colors of their leaves are amazing. Their shape is in the form of a wide oval, tapering slightly towards the end. The stems have 4 sides. The flowers are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences. The predominant shades are red, white, purple and brown.

General description of the plant

Outwardly, it is very similar to nettle , but its leaves have a velvety surface and are pleasant to the touch. It has earned the love of flower growers for the bright and varied colors of its leaves, which form the basis of its decorative value.

“Black Dragon” is distinguished from other varieties by the very dark brown-violet color of its leaves, which gives it a certain majesty and mystery.

The shape of the leaves also distinguishes it from its counterparts of other varieties. They have an oval shape and large semicircular teeth along the edges. For more information about what kind of plant Coleus is and what types there are, read our article.

Despite its tropical origin, it does not require the creation of greenhouse conditions and feels quite good both at home and outdoors, even at a temperature of 16 degrees.

What to do after purchase

When purchasing, follow simple recommendations, here are some of them:

A careful inspection is required; there should be no traces of diseases or pests on the leaves and stems.
It is better to make a purchase in the spring, this will help adaptation.
It is not recommended to purchase flowering coleus. A sudden change in conditions may have a negative impact on further growth.
Choose a plant with several shoots, not just one, with a fluffy crown. These are sure signs of a developed root system.
Find out about transportation. If it arrived from abroad, it needs to be replanted, since some types of soil are not intended for long-term cultivation.

New coleus requires adaptation, this process takes about 2 weeks. At this time, it should be protected from drafts, bright sunlight and, if possible, not rearranged.

When replanting, the original container is left provided that it is suitable in size. This can be easily determined by the roots; they should not be visible through the drainage holes.

The healing magic of the plant

Coleus dragon black is considered not only a home decoration, but also a natural healer, of particular interest to people who are learning to do without pharmaceuticals, replacing them with natural medicines and a healthy lifestyle.

The benefits of the plant are determined by its chemical composition, of which forskolin is of particular value. Therefore, coleus comprehensively strengthens and restores body functions and stabilizes the functioning of important systems. When used, health improvements and rapid recovery are monitored because it:

has a positive effect on metabolism,
helps to better absorb vitamins and minerals,
lowers blood pressure levels,
normalizes the functioning of the digestive system,
burns fat cells in the body.

To benefit from the healing properties of coleus, you need to take its root part, wash it thoroughly, dry it and grind it. Place the finished product in a glass jar and use it in dry form as a food additive as needed.

How and where does it grow?

The flower is a perennial plant. Coleus can grow from 20 to 60 cm in height. Sometimes there are giants reaching 100 cm.

The shape of the leaf blades resembles nettle leaves in appearance. That is why the second name of the coleus plant is nettle.

Depending on the variety, the leaves are crescent-shaped or oblong. Their color may vary.

There are pink, purple, yellow, burgundy, purple, and brown shades.

The leaf mosaic is striking: you can see varieties with striped, spotted and multi-colored leaves.

Types of nettles also differ in the type of inflorescence. As a rule, they are small and can be white, blue, or purple.

Breeders have also developed varieties suitable for growing indoors. In addition, there are annual and perennial plants.

Some hybrids are not only attractive in appearance, they also have a pleasant aroma.

The plant has medicinal and beneficial properties; coleus has a bactericidal effect.

Plant varieties

Several species are cultivated at home: Coleus Blume, Hybrid, Wizard, Black Dragon.

But the most favorite species among flower growers is:

Coleus Blume is a subshrub with stems up to 80 cm long. The leaves are shaped like nettles. The color of the leaves can be dark red, yellow-brown, black, green with spots of yellow and red tones. The flowers are painted lilac.

Advantages of the seedling method

Cuttings, like the seedling method of growing plants, take a lot of time and are associated with some difficulties. If you choose from these two well-known options, then planting with seeds is more profitable. Moreover, the process cannot be called more complicated.

The positive aspects of the seedling method were:

simplicity of the process, easy care of the seed;
you can decide on a permanent place for planting seedlings;
due to preparatory measures, the plant’s immunity is strengthened;
the ability to resist infections increases;
fertilizers are selected independently. Therefore, this is to the benefit of adherents of folk remedies and organics;
there is no need to carry out manipulations that can kill coleus, namely, introduce an infection.

If you decide to try cuttings, then there is no guarantee that after cutting off the top, the adult plant and the cut part will fully develop.

Growing

Sowing

On August 11, I planted all 10 seeds in universal peat soil. To my surprise, the first shoots began to appear earlier than promised on the package - on day 4 instead of 10–14. At the same time, during the day the temperature was clearly higher than the recommended 21–25 degrees - a window sill with a southern orientation. There were 8 seedlings in total.

On the 15th day, a darker center can be discerned on the first true leaves. When the seedlings were 1.5 months old, the leaves had already noticeably darkened, and the green border had become very thin.

Indoor dwarf pomegranate - care at home. Growing pomegranate from seeds and cuttings

Seedlings of Coleus Black Dragon at the age of 1.5 months

I chose the two largest ones and placed them in 100 ml plastic cups. The coleus stayed in them until spring - by March the roots had finally entwined the earthen ball and one watering a day was no longer enough.

Care

The plants spent 8 months with me - from August to April. Apart from picking seedlings, I transplanted them only once - from a 100 ml glass to a 200 ml container. I didn’t apply any fertilizers and used the first universal peat soil I found in the store. Watering, which is typical for coleus, was required once every 1-2 days - they love water. I used backlighting in the form of an ordinary table lamp in the evening, when the sun was already setting - and even then not every day.

To form a beautiful bush, the manufacturer recommends pinching the crown. I only needed to do this once, when the trunk reached a height of about 15 cm. At the end of March, I decided to make room for hot peppers and gave away the plants. By the onset of summer, the size of the leaves on other people's windowsills had already increased and they acquired a wavy shape at the edges, as expected.

Aesthetic qualities

One Instagram follower, after seeing a photo of the plant, complained that when growing coleus with colored leaves, the result always turned out the same: a green leaf with a red center. It seems to me that the reason may be not only re-grading, but also the increased need for lighting of variegated varieties. And that's why.

Seedlings before using lighting

As the length of daylight approached its minimum, the color of the leaves less and less corresponded to the variety and became inconspicuous. Noticing this, I realized that a little more and the internodes would begin to lengthen, and the shape of the plants would lose its aesthetics, and I placed the coleus plants under the table lamp. The problem disappeared literally before our eyes, and the foliage acquired an amazingly beautiful color. Depending on the angle and brightness of the light, it shimmered from a warm dark brown to a deep burgundy purple with amethyst sparkles - sparkles: the leaves sparkled in the sun!

Coleus Black Dragon in sufficient light

Coleus diseases and pests

Pale coloring and the appearance of yellow spots are clear signs that the plant is suffering from direct sunlight. Don’t delay, try to move the bush into partial shade or build a canopy; in a few days the individual will recover.
Coleus that are old or receive insufficient light stretch forward. In the first case, you can do very little: slightly increase complementary feeding and watering, improve lighting. But the second problem is easy to fix, change the location of the flower. The same phenomenon is observed in those crops that were not pruned on time. Therefore, prune the young plant before it is fully formed.
Falling leaves indicate freezing or overwatering. It is worth noting that the same thing happens when there is a lack of water, so it is worth analyzing your last actions and understanding where you made a mistake. Afterwards it will be easy for you to eliminate it.
Poor soil, lacking nutrients, significantly slows growth. You need to either replant the flower or buy fertilizer.
Due to dry air, the edges of the leaves turn brown, they shrink and lose their shape. Spraying generously will help.
Be sure to build drainage so that the liquid does not stagnate. Otherwise, the stem begins to rot.
Pests are more dangerous for indoor crops, but garden crops are less likely to be affected by them. Aphids, whiteflies and spider mites. They infect the individual, suck out nutrients from it, which is why the coleus dies. They are destroyed by ordinary soap solution, which must be used to treat the entire above-ground part of the plant. If all the pests have not died, then after a week the procedure must be repeated. But at the same time, you need to be extremely careful so that the soap does not get on the soil, otherwise the root system will suffer. For protection, cover the ground with film, so not a single drop will seep inside.

Coleus is great for beginners, hobbyists, or experienced gardeners. This beautiful and bright flower can decorate any home.

How to care for coleus

The houseplant coleus loves light: the more leaves it has, the more sun the flower requires. Therefore, it must be placed in well-lit places. True, it should be borne in mind that in summer direct sunlight is contraindicated for it, but in winter it is even recommended.

Therefore, in winter, “decorative nettle” can live on the brightest windowsill, and in summer - in a room with good diffused lighting. As an option, you can protect the plant from sunlight by shading, which is especially important from midday and during the second half of a hot summer day. After all, direct sunlight can not only make the color of the leaves pale, but also cause burns. particularly sensitive to direct rays .

Accustomed to warm and humid tropical climates, indoor coleus flowers will appreciate increased indoor humidity. That is why many flower growers place “home nettles” in the kitchen - the air here is always warm and sufficiently humidified.

Additionally, you can moisturize the flower by spraying. This is especially true in winter, when watering is done very sparingly. For this procedure, settled soft water at room temperature is recommended.

In summer, the temperature in the room where the coleus stands should be between 16 - 25 degrees Celsius. If it rises inexorably, frequent watering will help the plant survive the heat safely. In winter, the optimal temperature is 15-17 degrees,

Watering

In spring and summer, coleus is watered sparingly, as soon as the top layer of soil dries noticeably. In winter, watering should be reduced, but should not be stopped completely - otherwise, due to lack of moisture, the leaves of the plant will become flabby.

If the coleus lacks moisture, it will let its owner know by wilting its leaves. However, an excess of moisture is also undesirable - the delicate roots of an indoor flower need air, otherwise the root system may rot. This will be signaled by the falling leaves. Therefore, try not to allow moisture to stagnate on the soil surface.

Replanting and pruning coleus

Coleus is replanted in the spring; for some plants growing at home, once every 2 years is enough.

Here are some landing rules:

When choosing a container, they are guided by the fact that the old pot should fit in the new one.
You need to transport the plant with a small ball of earth, this will avoid damaging the roots.
The new substrate must contain peat and humus. A layer of broken tiles or expanded clay is required at the bottom.
After transplanting, the coleus needs to be watered generously and fertilized.

In spring, the bush needs to be formed; for this, pruning is carried out. For adult plants, this procedure will be rejuvenating. Dried and non-viable branches are removed, this activates the growth of young shoots from the root.

If you need a tall plant, then remove the side shoots. To give the bush a spherical shape, pinch the tops, and remove the inflorescences for splendor.

Without heavy pruning, the flowerbed can grow into a lush carpet.

Particularly tall and dense specimens growing at home or in the garden are best tied to supports. In this case, the inclination and direction of the bush can be adjusted.

Coleus: planting and care in open ground

Coleus is a heat-loving flower; planting should be carried out in well-warmed soil, without the possibility of a sharp drop in temperature and frost. It is better to plant in the evening. The place should be sunny and protected from the wind.

Sand, peat, turf and leaf soil must be mixed in equal parts and prepared for planting seedlings. Small planting holes into which the seedlings will be transferred and the prepared soil mixture will be added must be dug at the time of transplantation.

Interesting! The plant fits well with closely planted bushes of its fellows, as well as with other garden plants.

Watering is an important part of care

After planting, you must immediately water the seedlings abundantly. Water the coleus with settled warm water, often and generously. After watering, you need to loosen the soil around the bush and remove weeds.

In winter, when coleus is a houseplant at home, watering must be reduced. But do not allow the earthen coma to dry out.

It is important to know! An incorrect watering regime will affect the leaves of the plant - they become lethargic.

Jade variety

Top dressing

The flower needs to be fertilized every seven days, from the beginning of spring awakening until the autumn cold. In the autumn-winter period, complementary foods are added once a month in a diluted form (50% of the amount specified in the description). For complementary feeding, you need to alternate organic matter with mineral fertilizer. Be sure to feed with nitrogen at the beginning of spring for rich color and contrasting transitions of foliage.

Problems in growing

Among the problems most often encountered when growing coleus are:

Excessive stretching of shoots. This problem occurs when pinching is not done in a timely manner, as well as in insufficient lighting.
Fading leaves indicate too much light.
Leaf falling occurs as a result of lack of moisture, as well as excessive soil moisture. The soil should be moderately moist.
Yellowing and curling of the leaves is the first sign that the plant has been attacked by aphids or spider mites. If this problem is detected, it is recommended to treat the plant with a solution of laundry soap. Cover the soil in the pot with polyethylene during treatment to prevent the soap solution from getting into the soil.

Growing coleus is not a difficult process. If you follow the rules of sowing and care, growing this luxurious, bright plant will not be difficult even for a novice gardener.

Summary

Coleus Black Dragon is one of the most spectacular varieties I have ever seen, not in a picture. The image on the seed packaging is not able to fully convey the shade of velvety leaves shimmering in the sun. However, the main advantage of the variety also requires appropriate conditions - without sufficient lighting, coleus can turn out completely unattractive. Since I grew this variety on the window in winter and never fertilized it, it would be biased to judge the growth rate - in my opinion, development proceeded at a completely normal pace for indoor keeping.

Definitely recommend! Including those who want to grow something beautiful from seeds, but do not yet have experience.

Initial data

I ordered seeds for growing on a windowsill in winter, so I was guided not only by decorative qualities, but also by the size of the plant.
The declared height of the Black Dragon coleus is up to 30 cm. As for me, it’s just right for growing a neat compact bush. Package

In August 2016, I paid 45 rubles for one pack of 10 seeds. The manufacturer differs from others in that it subjects the seeds to plasma treatment to increase germination and disease resistance. I can’t say how effective it is, but, from my own experience, I didn’t have to complain about the product.