Coleus Coral Candy - Care Sheet

Solenostemon scutellarioides
Updated 2026-05-04 22:00 UTC

Overview

Coleus Coral Candy (Premium Sun series) is a compact, mounded coleus prized for its thin, serrated leaves with a coral‑pink center that blends to green. Bred to perform in both sun and shade, it offers long‑lasting color for containers and garden beds. Premium Sun coleus can handle full sun where humidity is high; in dry climates, provide some afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch. Plants typically reach 25–41 cm (10–16 in) tall and 30–36 cm (12–14 in) wide, with a tidy habit that suits mixed planters and edging.

Care is straightforward: keep the soil evenly moist, feed lightly but regularly, and pinch to keep growth dense. It’s frost‑tender and usually grown as a warm‑season annual outdoors, but you can overwinter cuttings indoors in bright light to keep your favorite color going year after year.

Quick Facts

Scientific nameSolenostemon scutellarioides
Common nameColeus ‘Coral Candy’ (Premium Sun)
DifficultyBeginner
Pet‑safe?No (coleus species can be toxic to pets)
LightBright indirect to full sun; provide afternoon shade in hot, dry climates
WaterKeep evenly moist; water when the top 2–3 cm (about 1 in) feels dry
HumidityModerate to high preferred (40–60%+); higher humidity supports sun tolerance
Temperature18–29°C (65–85°F); avoid below 13°C (55°F)
SoilWell‑drained peat‑based potting mix with perlite; slightly acidic to neutral (pH ~6.0–7.0)
FertilizerBalanced, dilute feed every 2 weeks in active growth
RepottingAnnually or when rootbound; refresh mix each season for best vigor
PropagationSoftwood stem cuttings (easy); also from seed

Light

Coleus Coral Candy thrives from bright indirect light to full sun. Premium Sun types are bred for better sun performance, but context matters: