Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Wizard Scarlet' (Wizard Scarlet Coleus) care

Light

Bright but filtered. Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Wizard Scarlet' burns within days in unfiltered south-facing summer sun, and stops growing within months in deep shade. Part shade to part sun; bright filtered light deepens the scarlet colour. The Wizard series tolerates some morning sun but bleaches and scorches in hot direct midday sun. Deep shade dulls the red and causes leggy growth. If you only have a south window, set the plant back 1.5 m or hang a sheer curtain — both knock the intensity down into the right range.

Watering

Watering plectranthus scutellarioides 'wizard scarlet': when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 2-4 days in summer. The number that matters isn't the day of the week — it's how dry the top 2-3 cm of the pot feels. A finger in the soil tells you more than a watering app. After every watering, tip the saucer. Keep evenly moist; coleus wilts quickly when dry and recovers fast once watered. Avoid waterlogging, which rots the soft stems. Containers dry out faster in heat and may need daily watering; mulch beds to hold moisture.

Soil and pot

Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Wizard Scarlet' grows best in fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained potting mix. A good peat- or coir-based mix with organic matter that stays moist but drains freely; slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Enrich garden soil with compost to support steady growth and colour. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Wizard Scarlet' sits happiest at around 40-60% humidity and 18-29°C (64-84°F). Adaptable to average humidity but appreciates moderate moisture in the air. Very dry indoor conditions can crisp leaf edges; good airflow prevents fungal issues in damp, crowded plantings. If you keep the room above 18 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed plectranthus scutellarioides 'wizard scarlet' sparingly. Feed every 2 weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength, or apply slow-release granules at planting. Avoid heavy nitrogen, which can wash out the leaf colour. Steady, moderate feeding keeps growth compact and richly coloured. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on plectranthus scutellarioides 'wizard scarlet' in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Colour fading — The scarlet washes out in deep shade or under heavy nitrogen feeding. Give bright filtered light and moderate, balanced feed for the deepest red.
• Sun scorch — Hot direct midday sun bleaches and crisps the leaves. Provide afternoon shade in warm climates and harden off before increasing light.
• Legginess and flowering — Blue flower spikes and low light cause stretch. Pinch out flower spikes and growing tips to keep the plant dense and bushy.
• Wilting and stem rot — Drying out collapses leaves; conversely waterlogging rots the soft stems. Keep evenly moist in a free-draining mix.

Propagation

Roots readily from stem tip cuttings in water or moist mix within 1-2 weeks; cuttings overwinter indoors. As a seed-grown F1 series, it can also be raised from seed, which germinates quickly in warmth, though cuttings best preserve the exact colour. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Wizard Scarlet' is toxic to pets. ASPCA lists Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides, formerly Coleus blumei) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. The toxic principle is essential oils. Signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhoea, depression, anorexia, and sometimes bloody vomiting or diarrhoea; skin contact may irritate. Keep away from pets. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Wizard Scarlet' deep-dive guides

Every aspect of plectranthus scutellarioides 'wizard scarlet' care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Wizard Scarlet' watering schedule
• Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Wizard Scarlet' light requirements
• Best soil mix for plectranthus scutellarioides 'wizard scarlet'
• Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Wizard Scarlet' fertilizing guide
• When to repot plectranthus scutellarioides 'wizard scarlet'
• How to propagate plectranthus scutellarioides 'wizard scarlet'
• Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Wizard Scarlet' growth rate & size
• Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Wizard Scarlet' cold hardiness
• Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Wizard Scarlet' temperature & humidity
• Is plectranthus scutellarioides 'wizard scarlet' toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is plectranthus scutellarioides 'wizard scarlet' toxic to cats?
• Is plectranthus scutellarioides 'wizard scarlet' toxic to dogs?
• Getting plectranthus scutellarioides 'wizard scarlet' to bloom

Featured in these plant shortlists

Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Wizard Scarlet' qualifies for 5 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best plants for a north-facing window — Houseplants for a north-facing window: bright, even, indirect light and no scorching direct sun. Each pick verified against its documented light needs.
• Best drought-tolerant houseplants — Houseplants that prefer to dry out — forgiving of forgotten watering and ideal for travel or busy weeks.
• Best flowering houseplants — Indoor plants grown for their blooms — selected from the flowering species in Growli’s plant-care library.
• Houseplants toxic to cats & dogs — The common houseplants the ASPCA lists as toxic to cats and dogs — the ones to keep out of reach, each with its symptoms and a safe alternative.
• Best small & tabletop houseplants — Compact houseplants that stay under about 40 cm — desk, shelf and windowsill plants that never outgrow a small space.
• Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Wizard Scarlet' is also commonly called Wizard Scarlet Coleus or Scarlet Coleus.

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