Tips on how to grow and care for Painted Nettle Plant

This particular plant have a spectacular foliage in colours and they have a colour combinations that no other plant species has to offer. Without been told the unique colour patterns of the leaves really excite many gardeners. Painted nettle plants are very easy to cultivate and they can be cultivated not only as room plants, but also in pots or balcony boxes, hanging baskets or in a flower bed. This article will show you how to do everything right.

Painted nettle plant profile

1. The plant family: Belongs to mint family (Lamiaceae).
2. The subfamily: The subfamily is Nepetoideae.
3. The genus group: Coleus (Solenostemon).
4. The species of the plant: The specie of the plant is painted nettle (Solenostemon scutellarioides).
5. Other names: Other names are Plectranthus scutellarioides, formerly Coleus blumei.
6. The origin of the plant: This plant originated from Southeast Asia and Malaysia
7. This plant is a perennial, herbaceous plant.
8. The stems lignify from the bottom.
9. The height of the plant: The height of the plant is about 30 to 60 cm.
10. The flowering period is from June to October
11. This plant is an inconspicuous flower umbels with bluish flowers.
12. Painted nettle plants is a foliage plant.

Furthermore, this particular plant is among the most magnificent foliage plants the plant kingdom has to offer. Although there are innumerable species of painted nettles, but is only the Solenostemon scutellarioides (formerly Coleus blumei) is cultivated as a room plant. Originally the painted nettles are from Southeast Asia.
This plant also form flowers, their true beauty is in the soft, velvety leaves, which vary in shape and colour depending on the sort or variety. Painted nettles colour nuances range from green, red, brown, violet and yellow to pink as well as mixed variations of these colours.

How to care for Painted Nettle Plant

If you examine this plant closely, you will find out that the plant turns out to be an astonishingly unpretentious and robust plant that requires only few care measures. If you actually heeds to the following tips regarding the location and care of the colourful foliage plant you will be very happy with the plant.

The location of the plant

This particular plant actually needs a very bright location, because only then the full colour splendor of it’s foliage can unfold. Make sure the location gives a direct sunlight, is only during the noon hours a shade is recommended. If the painted nettle plant is in a very dark spot, it can quickly lose its strong, characteristic colour and the leaves will become green. And again the plant will grow sparingly without sufficient sunshine and it will begin to whiz away.

The light requirement

 It should be sunny, if possible several hours of sun per day. A light deficiency can actually lead to spindle growth and fading.

The temperature requirement

This particular plant are sensitive to cold and therefore it requires a temperatures that is over 18 degrees all year round. Because of this, they are particularly suitable as houseplants, as long as no draughty spots are selected as a location. Painted nettle plants can tolerate heat very well, but as soon as the temperature is 14 degrees or lower, it can begin to fade. By peradventure if the temperatures drops below 7 degrees, the painted nettle plant will die.

The soil requirement

If you actually want this spectacular foliage plant to grow beautifully compact and bushy, it depend on the underlying substance or layer that provides the powerful roots with water and nutrients. The fact is that it does not matter whether the plant is cultivated as an indoor plant or outdoors, the plant actually needs a substrate with the following properties.

1. There should be a good water storage capacity.
2. Effective permeability to air and water.
3. The pH value: This should be neutral or slightly acidic.

The planting time of the plant

This particular plant is not winterhardy and it also can’t withstand cool temperatures without harm. Make sure it is planted in the open or on the balcony only after the Ice Saints (mid-May). Although inside the house, planting is possible all year round. Actually the best time is in spring.

How to Plant in a bed

Under normal condition this plant are kept as room plants. Although there is nothing wrong with cultivating the plant in the garden when it’s summer. The following are tips on how to plant in a bed.

1. The planting distance: It should be half height (20-30 cm).
2. The planting hole: This should be double root ball size.
3. Make sure you fill a few centimeters of sand or gravel onto the ground as a drainage.
4. Try and plant deep.
5. Make sure you fill the hole with humus soil and some compost.
6. Make sure you slightly press the soil.
7. Also slightly slur the soil with water.

How to plant in pot

This particular plants are usually cultivated in the house all year round, for this purpose it can easily be planted in a plastic or clay pot. It is very important that the pot has drainage holes at the bottom so that excess water can drain. Any normal plant soil on a compost basis can be used. If you actually want to ensure good permeability to water and air, it is strongly advisable to use some sand or grit.