With deep burgundy leaves, perfectly outlined in chartreuse green, deeply frilled edges and being one of the tallest coleus in the ColorBlaze series, Wicked Witch Coleus will entrance you and provide incredible contrast for your sun or shade landscape or container garden. Just wait until you see these combined with your favorite white, lime green or pink flowers or foliage! Spring just got a lot more exciting!

Native to SE Asia all the way to Australia, Zones 10a to 11b, coleus grows as a tender perennial in these hot regions. In Zones 3-9 they are grown as an annual, which means that no region in the United States can overwinter them reliably. Plant out when temperatures are well into the 60’s as they are extremely cold sensitive. These improved hybrids have been bred to delay flower production as long as possible to allow plants to focus on leaf production to keep that beautiful color going long into the fall.

ColorBlaze® Wicked Witch Coleus Care

Coleus are easy to care for once they are established in the environment they thrive in. Well draining rich soil with a mildly acidic to neutral pH at 6.0 to 6.5, full sun to part shade and plenty of peat moss or organic matter in the soil will make maintenance easy with this annual. To extend the color well into the winter, lift healthy plants from the garden before any chance of frost, and pot them up for your indoor garden space. You may experience some leaf loss when bringing indoors but this will only be for a short time as new growth will soon return.

Deadheading is required if you want to prolong leaf production which is the star attraction of this foliar. Pinch off any flower spikes that may appear to keep the focus on those gorgeous leaves. Prune out any dead or dry stems which will promote more growth. Prune any growth that gets out of bounds, and shear to reduce volume and stimulate branching, making a more compact appearance.

ColorBlaze® Wicked Witch Coleus Spacing

Space plants every 18 to 24 inches to allow this plant to spread out. It grows up to 40 inches tall and spreads out up to 36 inches wide. Air circulation is important for plant health as it reduces the chances for powdery mildew and insect infestation. Pair this lovely dramatic foliar with caladium, dichondra, bidens, sedum, calibrachoa, gaillardia, angelonia, euphorbia and helianthus for wickedly awesome spring to summer display.

ColorBlaze® Wicked Witch Coleus Information

USDA Hardiness Zones:

10-11

Flower Color(s):

Grown for Foliage

Foliage Color(s)

Red, Yellow

Foliage Description:

Deep Burgundy to Chocolate with a chartreuse edge

Light Exposure:

Full Sun to Full Shade

Height Class:

Tall

Height:

24-40 Inches

Spread:

18-36 Inches

Spacing:

18-24 Inches

Habit:

Upright

Watering:

Average

Drought Tolerant:

No

Container Role:

Thriller

Use Types:

Border Plant, Container, Houseplant, Landscape, Mass Planting

Features:

Foliage Interest, Deadheading Not Necessary

Maintenance:

Easy

Scientific Name:

Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Wicked Witch'

Common Name:

ColorBlaze® Wicked Witch Coleus

Other Name(s):

Plant Type:

Annual

Brand:

Proven Winners