DESCRIPTION:  Defiance Coleus' attractive serrated pointy leaves remain crimson in colour with distinctive light green edges throughout the year. The flowers are not ornamentally significant.

BOTANICAL NAME: Solenostemon scutellarioides 'Defiance'
OTHER NAMES: Flame Nettle, Painted Nettle
AVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 45 cm
AVERAGE MATURE SPREAD: 45 cm
SUN EXPOSURE: Full shade to partial sun
FLOWER COLOUR: Not significant
FLOWERING TIME: N/A
FOLIAGE COLOUR: Soft red and green
COLD HARDINESS: Annual
WATER NEEDS: Average
OTHER FEATURES: Attractive Foliage, Deer Resistant

Landscape Attributes

Defiance Coleus is an herbaceous annual with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other garden plants with finer foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant. The flowers of this plant may actually detract from its ornamental features, so they can be removed as they appear. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Defiance Coleus is recommended for the following landscape applications:

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting
• Hanging Baskets

Planting & Growing

Defiance Coleus will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 18 inches apart. This fast-growing plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate, needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.

This plant performs well in both full sun and full shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. 

Defiance Coleus is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a canvas of foliage against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.