Is Black Dragon Coleus A Perennial?    

Is Black Dragon coleus a perennial?

Black Dragon Coleus Solenostemon Scutellarioides is an herbaceous, evergreen perennial that grows straight and spreads. Coleus Black Dragon seeds can be planted both indoors and outdoors.

This plant is also known as Flame Nettle and Painted Nettle, and its clinging, deep-purple to maroon leaf lends a fantastic accent color to the yard.

‘Black Dragon’ is a fragile, compact, bushy, erect, woody-based, evergreen perennial growing as an annual with semi-succulent stems bearing triangular, pointy, lobed, velvety, dark purple leaves with a vivid magenta center.

Any time of year, terminal whorled racemes of small, tubular, two-lipped violet-blue flowers bloom.

How do you grow Black Dragon coleus?

The Black Dragon Coleus (Painted Nettle) plant is more shade-tolerant than others, with vibrant color even when sunlight is scarce. The one-of-a-kind leaves are charmingly scalloped, ruffled, and corrugated for added texture!

The color of this shade-tolerant plant is nearly self-explanatory: deep purplish-black edges surround a core that ranges from dark maroon to bright crimson red, resembling a black dragon’s maw. It will add texture, interest, and color to container and mixed garden plantings.

• Sunlight Preference: Part Sun to Shade (2-5 hours)
• Fertilizer requirements: When implanted, then every 3-4 weeks.
• Soil Moisture Preference: Moist Survives Winter in Zones 10, 11, and 12

Pinch out immature shoots on a regular basis to keep foliage color and a compact shape. To keep the bushy habit, remove emerging flower spikes.

How do you take care of a black dragon coleus?

At maturity, Black Dragon Coleus will grow to be around 18 inches tall and 12 inches wide. Individual plants should be spaced around 10 inches apart when grown in bulk or as a bedding plant.

Although it is not a true annual, if left outdoors over the winter, this fast-growing plant will behave as an annual in our environment, frequently necessitating replacement the following year. As a result, gardeners should be aware that it will behave differently than it would in its natural habitat.

This plant thrives in partial to full shade. It grows best in evenly wet, well-drained soil, but will perish in standing water. It is not sensitive to soil pH; however, it grows best in rich soils. It is extremely resistant to urban pollution and may even grow in densely populated areas.

To conserve soil moisture, spread a thick layer of mulch around the root zone during the growing season. This is a selected variant of a species that is not native to North America.

It can be propagated by cuttings; however, because it is a cultivated variety, it may be subject to propagation restrictions or prohibitions.

In summary, water seedlings on a regular basis until they are established. When cultivated in pots, coleus should be fertilized and watered on a regular basis. During the summer, they will need to be watered several times per week. Use a liquid fertilizer every two weeks or a time-release fertilizer when planting.

How do you grow Black Dragon coleus from seed?

Getting the seeds is the first step in growing coleus from seed. The seeds are rather easy to get by and should be accessible at almost any store that sells flower seeds.

Many companies sell them online if you can’t find them in a store. These seeds are usually provided in a mixed bag, giving you a wonderful choice of foliage hues.

Cover the coleus seeds with a fine layer of potting soil after they have been dispersed. Place the container in a warm location with bright, indirect light and cover with plastic. In around two weeks, you should notice seedlings.

Remove the plastic when you notice coleus seedlings. As the seedlings grow, keep the soil moist. Watering from below will be less detrimental to the coleus seedlings.

When the seedlings are large enough to handle (usually when they have two sets of true leaves), they can be moved to separate containers.

How often do you water Black Dragon coleus perennial?

These plants thrive on soil that is consistently damp but not saturated. The soil should not be wet all of the time, but protracted dry spells can limit plant growth and cause the leaves to turn brown around the margins.

Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, and water only until the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Mulch will assist the soil retain moisture for extended periods of time, but avoid cedar mulch, which can be harmful to coleus.

Also, avoid allowing the mulch to come into contact with the stems, since this might promote rot and hide slugs.

During warmer weather, Coleus in containers may require twice-daily watering. Watering outside containers twice a day is recommended. Water indoor plants just when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

How do you prune coleus Black Dragon?

Pinch out the growth tips when the plants are around 6 inches tall to get full, bushy plants. If you want the plant to focus its energy on leaves rather than flowers and seeds, pinch under the flower buds.

Plants that are not trimmed grow leggy and lose their attractive shape and rich foliage. If they continue to grow leggy, the plants may require additional sunlight. This is especially prevalent with indoor plants throughout the winter, so give them some extra sunlight or, if required, artificial light.

Is Black Dragon Coleus edible?

Coleus is not edible and has a low toxicity level. However, certain research on the mayana plant indicate that it may have medical properties. As with any herb, it is advisable to consult a medical practitioner before use.

The lovely deeply cut lobed leaves of Black Dragon Coleus remain rose in color with characteristic deep purple margins all year on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth.

Is Black Dragon coleus toxic?

Coleus is poisonous to pets. Ingesting even a small amount can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. If you have pets, do not allow them near the plant. Also, people should avoid handling the plant if they are suffering from nausea, since it may cause more discomfort.

Is Black Dragon coleus an outdoor plant?

Black Dragon Coleus is an excellent choice for the garden, but it is also suitable for use in outdoor pots and hanging baskets. It is frequently used as a ‘filler’ in the ‘spiller-thriller-filler’ container combination, creating a canvas of leaves against which the larger thriller plants stand out.

Plants grown in outdoor pots and baskets may require more frequent waterings than plants grown in the yard or garden.

When planted outside in early spring, coleus grows to full size in a single season. Large expanses of various coleus plantings with a quilt-like appearance can look delectable in a landscape or garden beds.

Its brightly colored foliage is very attractive in window boxes, outdoor container gardens, and hanging baskets.

How do you repot Black Dragon Coleus?

To grow this plant in a container, start with a large pot that the plant can grow into; otherwise, you’ll be repotting this fast-growing plant before you know it.

In mixed container plantings, coleus is typically used as an upright “thriller” plant in the middle of the pot, surrounded by “fillers” and “spillers.” Container plants are sometimes taken indoors to overwinter in colder climates.

Coleus Black Dragon Solenostemon Scutellarioides is an herbaceous, evergreen perennial with an upright, spreading growth habit.

How do you propagate black dragon coleus?

The easiest way to grow coleus plants is to take stem cuttings and root them.

• Cut a 4- to 6-inch-long stem tip with a sharp shearing scissor. Make sure to cut directly beneath a leaf node on the stem. Remove all of the leaves from the cutting’s lower half.
• Dip the end of the stem in a rooting hormone compound, then plant it in a moist potting mix with the exposed leaf nodes covered by earth.
• Place the container in a plastic bag, making sure that the plastic does not come into contact with the cutting.
• Place the covered cutting in a sunny, warm position for two to three weeks, or until new roots appear.
• Remove the plastic and keep the new plant growing in a bright, warm location.

Some of the more uncommon varieties may be reluctant to root, so take as many cuttings as possible to guarantee that you have enough viable plants.

How to grow these Plants from Seed

• Sprinkle the tiny seeds lightly over a tray filled with potting mix, then lightly cover with dirt.
• Cover the tray with plastic wrap and place it in a sunny, warm location for two weeks, or until seedlings grow.
• Remove the plastic and continue to develop the seedlings in moist soil.
• When the seedlings have two sets of true leaves, carefully transplant them into their own pots and continue to cultivate them until it is time to plant them outside. Before planting seedlings in the garden, make careful to harden them off.

Is Black Dragon coleus annual or perennial?

Black Dragon Coleus Solenostemon Scutellarioides is an herbaceous, evergreen perennial that grows straight and spreads. Coleus Black Dragon seeds can be planted both indoors and outdoors.

This plant is also known as Flame Nettle and Painted Nettle, and its clinging, deep-purple to maroon leaf lends a fantastic accent color to the yard.

The lovely deeply cut lobed leaves of Black Dragon Coleus remain rose in color with characteristic deep purple margins all year on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth.

What is a black dragon coleus?

Black Dragon Coleus is an herbaceous annual that grows in an upright spreading form. Plants with big, frilly, velvety-black leaves with ruby red centers that are well-branched. The Black Dragon coleus, which grows to be 18 inches tall, is an excellent bedding or container plant.

Its exquisite texture distinguishes it from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

The lovely deeply cut lobed leaves of Black Dragon Coleus remain rose in color with characteristic deep purple margins all year on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth.

This is a plant that requires little upkeep. Because the blossoms of this plant may detract from its attractive features, they should be removed as soon as they appear. Deer dislikes this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier goodies. It does not have any significant drawbacks.