How to Grow and Care for Coleus Spitfire

Coleus ‘Spitfire’ is a popular foliage plant known for its intense coloration and compact size. Its vibrant leaves provide a burst of color in garden beds, borders, and container arrangements. The plant’s adaptability and low-maintenance nature make it a choice for adding a visual element without extensive upkeep.

Spitfire Coleus Plant Profile

This variety, Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘Spitfire’, is distinguished by its multicolored foliage. The leaves feature hot pink or deep magenta centers that transition to splashes of rich burgundy, all framed by serrated, lime-green edges.

‘Spitfire’ reaches a mature height and spread of 12 to 24 inches. Its self-branching nature means it grows into a full, bushy shape with minimal intervention. The dense foliage provides continuous color from spring until the first frost.

Optimal Growing Conditions

To develop its most vibrant leaf coloration, ‘Spitfire’ performs best in partial sun or bright, indirect light, such as an area with morning sun and afternoon shade. While it can tolerate more sun than older coleus varieties, too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, causing them to fade or develop brown spots. Deep shade can cause the bright hues to become less pronounced.

The plant thrives in soil that is rich in organic matter, well-draining, and consistently moist. Before planting, amending the soil with compost can improve its structure and fertility. For container planting, a high-quality potting mix is suitable, but the soil must not become waterlogged, as this can lead to root rot.

The soil should be kept evenly moist, but not saturated. Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Plants in containers may require more frequent watering than those in garden beds during hot periods. ‘Spitfire’ is a tender perennial grown as an annual in most climates and can be brought indoors before the first frost.

Ongoing Care and Maintenance

To maintain a compact and bushy appearance, pinch back the plant’s growing tips regularly. This involves snipping off the top set of leaves on a stem, which encourages new branches to grow from the nodes below and prevents the plant from becoming leggy.

Another part of routine maintenance is removing flower spikes. Allowing the plant to bloom diverts energy away from foliage production. Promptly pinching off these flower stalks as they appear directs resources toward growing more colorful leaves, resulting in a fuller display.

During the active growing season, ‘Spitfire’ benefits from regular feeding. Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every two to four weeks at half the recommended strength to promote healthy growth. Alternatively, a slow-release granular fertilizer can be mixed into the soil at planting time.