Black Dragon, Coleus Seeds

Black Dragon Coleus Seed

Near-black burgundy foliage creates exceptional container drama
Deeply cut velvety leaves add rich texture
Compact plants adapt to sun or shade
Pinch growing tips for fuller branching

See product details

Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Solenostemon scutellarioides

Days to maturity

75 Days

Sun

Partial

Packet

50 Seeds

Zones 10–11 Check your growing zone

About Black Dragon, Coleus Seed, Coleus Seed

Black Dragon Coleus seeds produce striking ornamental plants known for their deeply serrated, velvety leaves in rich shades of burgundy and dark purple. This variety thrives in both sun and shade, making it a versatile choice for garden beds, borders, and containers. With its compact growth habit, Black Dragon Coleus adds a bold, dramatic touch to landscapes and indoor planters. It is easy to grow from seed, requiring warm temperatures and well-draining soil for optimal germination. Though primarily grown for its foliage, occasional small flowers may appear, though many gardeners pinch them off to encourage lush leaf growth.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

Top of Soil

Days to Germination

10–21 days

Germination Type

D - Surface Sow

In-row plant spacing

12-18"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Tender Perennial

Hardiness Zone

Zones 10-11

Plant Height

18 inches

Growth Habits

Compact, Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

200,000

Color

Black

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

Coleus grows best in a warm location with bright, indirect light and protection from cold drafts and harsh midday sun. Use a clean, well-drained potting mix suited to coleus and a container with unobstructed drainage holes. Sanitize containers, inspect planting material for pests or rot, and pre-moisten the mix before planting.

Planting

Start coleus indoors in a clean, free-draining medium, generally maintaining 70–80°F unless the species prefers cooler conditions. Keep the medium evenly moist but never saturated, and expect slow or irregular germination from woody or tropical seed. Provide bright filtered light after emergence. Pot seedlings individually once sturdy, disturbing the roots as little as possible.

Watering

Water coleus when the upper 1–2 inches of potting mix feel dry. Soak thoroughly, allow excess water to drain, and reduce frequency during slower winter growth.

Fertilizer

Feed coleus monthly during active spring and summer growth with diluted balanced houseplant fertilizer. Reduce or stop in winter, and periodically flush containers to prevent salt buildup.

Harvesting

Cut coleus stems when foliage is fully colored and stems are firm enough for arrangements. Harvest above a leaf node with clean shears, preferably before flowering, and leave enough branching growth for recovery.

Tips

Rotate coleus regularly for balanced growth and wipe dust from broad leaves. Protect it from heating vents, cold drafts, and sudden light changes that can cause leaf drop.

Pests & Diseases

Downy mildew, bacterial leaf spot, Botrytis, and root rot are the main coleus diseases. Downy mildew causes leaf drop and gray growth beneath foliage; bacterial spots may look water-soaked. Propagate only clean shoots, disinfect cutting tools, discard symptomatic stock plants, and keep irrigation water from splashing between pots.

Inspect coleus for spider mites, mealybugs, scale, thrips, whiteflies, and fungus gnats. Isolate affected plants, wipe accessible pests away, and repeat labeled soap or oil treatments as needed.