ColorBlaze Wicked Hot Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides 'ColorBlaze Wicked Hot')
sol-en-oh-STEM-on skoot-el-lar-ee-OY-deez 'ColorBlaze Wicked Hot'

Deciduous Perennial (usually grown as an annual near you) in the Lamiaceae Family

Solenostemon scutellarioides (often still sold under its older name Coleus scutellarioides, commonly just Coleus) is the species behind nearly all of the brightly colored foliage cultivars sold today. In its native Southeast Asia and Pacific islands, it grows as a tender evergreen perennial subshrub in the shade of the forest understory.

In the Chicago area it is grown strictly as a warm-season annual, since it has no cold hardiness below about Zone 10-11. Breeders have selected hundreds of cultivars from this one species for leaf color, pattern, and sun tolerance, ranging from deep-shade specialists to sun-loving SunColeus types.

Mature size varies enormously by cultivar, from under a foot to several feet tall and wide, so check each cultivar's own measurements rather than relying on this species-level range.

Pros

Low maintenance, high contrast

Adds great color to your part-shade garden

Easily propagated from cuttings in water or potting soil

Cons

This plant is probably not winter-hardy outdoors where you live.
Highlights I can take a sunny site if I get water every day but careful not to have soggy soil or standing water. Watch for me to wilt - it's a sign I need more water.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 6 - 36 inches tall. 6 - 36 inches wide.
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 10a - 11b (Usually hardy to 30° F)
Tags Annual in Chicago, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Deciduous, Filler, Full Shade, Good for Beginners, Good for Cut Flowers, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Insignificant Flowers, Medium, Medium, Perennial, Shade Tolerant, Tender Perennial
Bloom Period Flowers not showy
Flower Color
 

In The News

Photos of This with...

ColorBlaze Wicked Hot Coleus, Rockapulco Orange Shades Impatiens, Proven Accents Pegasus Begonia, Surefire Red Begonia, Surefire Rose Begonia, Heart to Heart Caribbean Coral Elephant Ear, Heart to Heart Chinook Elephant Ear, Heart to Heart Dawn to Dusk Elephant Ear, Heart to Heart Va Va Violet Elephant Ear, Superbells Double Orange Million Bells, Toucan Dark Orange Canna, Toucan Scarlet Canna Lily, Toucan Yellow Canna Lily, Coffee Cups Elephant's Ear, Heat It Up Scarlet Blanket Flower, Autumn Frost Hosta, Sunpatiens Compact Orange Impatiens, Sweet Caroline Red Hawk Sweet Potato Vine, Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Lime Sweet Potato, Pink Chablis Deadnettle, Luscious Goldengate Lantana, Goldilocks Creeping Jenny, ColorBlaze Chocolate Drop Coleus, ColorBlaze Rediculous Coleus, ColorBlaze Velveteen Coleus, ColorBlaze Wicked Witch Coleus, Colorblaze Golden Dreams Coleus,
 
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size


© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!