Coleus scutellarioides red head

Description

Coleus scutellarioides ‘Red Head’ is a striking tropical plant prized for its intensely red, dense and vibrant foliage. Its large, softly textured leaves can develop deep burgundy and purple shades depending on light levels, bringing instant colour and contrast to planted displays. Easy to grow and fast-growing, it is an excellent choice for bright interiors, tropical greenhouses, conservatories and well-ventilated open terrariums.

Botanical family

Mint family (Lamiaceae)

Genus

Coleus

Species / Cultivar

Coleus scutellarioides ‘Red Head’

Origin

The species Coleus scutellarioides is native to tropical Southeast Asia, especially the Malesian region. It naturally grows in warm, bright and humid environments, often at forest edges or beneath filtered light.

Foliage

Coleus ‘Red Head’ has broad, soft and slightly velvety leaves. Its deep red colouring is highly ornamental and becomes more intense in bright indirect light. New leaves may display lighter tones, while mature foliage develops rich red, burgundy and purple shades.

Growth habit and development

This plant has a naturally bushy and branching growth habit. Its fast growth makes it easy to create a full, compact plant by pinching the growing tips regularly. It is ideal for adding a bold splash of colour to tropical plant displays.

Growing conditions

Coleus scutellarioides ‘Red Head’ enjoys bright indirect light, warm temperatures and a light, rich, free-draining substrate. It appreciates moderate to high ambient humidity combined with good air circulation. Avoid stagnant air and excessive moisture around the roots.

Terrarium compatibility

• Closed humid tropical terrarium: Not recommended
• Open, well-ventilated terrarium: Yes
• Paludarium: Yes, in a well-aerated terrestrial area
• Tropical vivarium: Yes, with sufficient ventilation
• Nano terrarium: No
• Indoor growing: Yes

Because of its rapid growth, Coleus ‘Red Head’ is better suited to medium or large open terrariums than to small enclosed setups.

Recommended substrate

A light, nutrient-rich and free-draining mix made from coco fibre or quality potting mix, compost, perlite and fine bark will support healthy growth. The substrate should stay lightly moist but never waterlogged.

Watering

Keep the substrate slightly moist with regular watering using low-mineral water where possible. Allow the surface to dry slightly between waterings and avoid standing water in pots or at the base of a terrarium.

Humidity

This plant appreciates humidity between 50% and 75%, with regular air circulation.

Temperature

Ideal growing temperature: 18°C to 28°C. Avoid temperatures below 15°C, as well as cold or dry drafts.

Growth

Fast-growing. Approximate mature size: 40 to 70 cm tall, depending on pot size, light levels and regular pinching.

Current plant size

Plant supplied in a grower’s pot. Size may vary depending on season and availability.

Care

Pinch young growing tips regularly to encourage a denser, bushier plant. Remove flower spikes if you wish to focus the plant’s energy on foliage growth. Stem cuttings root easily and quickly.

Why choose Coleus scutellarioides ‘Red Head’?

This variety is ideal for bringing deep, long-lasting red colour to tropical plant displays. Its generous foliage, rapid growth and easy care make it an excellent decorative plant for greenhouses, bright interiors, airy paludariums and open terrariums.

Additional information

• Botanical name: Coleus scutellarioides ‘Red Head’
• Family: Lamiaceae
• Origin: Tropical Southeast Asia
• Type: Tropical foliage plant
• Light: Bright indirect light
• Watering: Regular; keep substrate slightly moist
• Humidity: Moderate to high, with ventilation
• Difficulty: Easy
• Growth: Fast
• Terrarium compatible: Yes, in an open and ventilated terrarium only
• Paludarium compatible: Yes, in an airy terrestrial area