Solenostemon – Twist and Twirl™ – Coleus – Solenostemon scutellarioides
Attracts: Birds, Hummingbirds
Resists: Deer
Adapatable as House Plant
Award Winner
Dead-Heading Not Necessary
Heat Tolerant
Foliage Interest
Maintenance Notes
Many people feel that coleus look best before they flower. To keep foliage in top shape, pinch off the blooms as they appear if you wish.
Rules of Thumb for Overwintering Plants Indoors:
1. Choose only healthy plants
2. Bring Plants indoors before frost damages foliage
3. Treat for disease and insects before bringing plants indoors
4. Place in bright areas and add humidity using pebble trays or spray bottles
5. Be careful not to over water
6 When active growth starts in spring fertilize and prune as needed
7. Introduce your plants slowly to outdoor conditions in spring
Twist and Twirl is a wonderful Coleus that develops bright colors as the summer progresses. It is best in full sun, where the colors will include bright yellows, reds and maroons as well as the background of greens. In the shade or filtered sun, you will have a preponderance of greens, some yellows, and a dapple of red (obviously sun is better than shade.) I would limit the amount of fertilizer given to it, especially if it is not in a bright spot, because the nitrogen in the fertilizer blend will only make the greens richer. This coleus was developed in Florida and can really tolerate hot days and bright light.
Uses Notes
Use in mixed containers, landscape borders or beds
Maintenance Category Easy
Water Category Average
Bloom Time
Flower Form Container, Landscape
pH C - pH 6.0 - 6.5
EC (2:1 Extraction Method) 0.6 - 0.9
Fertilization 150 - 200
Light Requirements Medium, High
Water Requirements Moderate to Moist
Rooting Out Temperature 65 - 72° Fahrenheit
Growing On Temperature 65 - 72° Fahrenheit
Holding Temperature 50 - 60° Fahrenheit
Planting and Timing Information
Spring through Summer Finish. Standard PPP.
Finishing Times [weeks]
4-5" and Quart Pot : 5-6
6" and Gallon Pot : 6-8
7-9" Pot : 8-10
10-12" and Two Gallon Pot : 10-12
Pinching and Growth Regulators
One to two pinches can be used to increase branching and for shaping. For small pot sizes this may not be necessary, larger pots will probably require pinching. Florel can increase branching and reduce flowering. Cycocel/B-Nine tank mix or Sumagic spray at 3-5 ppm will help control growth if needed. Growing on the dry-side . will help control growth resulting in fewer applications of PGR.s.
Pest and Disease Management
Diseases are uncommon if good growing practices are used. Good sanitation practices include keeping greenhouses clean at all times, eliminating weeds and debris, disinfecting equipment in greenhouses as often as possible and keeping hose ends off of the greenhouse floor. Good water management practices are critical for good, healthy plant growth.
Grower Tips
-Establish in a warm environment, plants subject to chilling may be stunted. -Proper water management is needed. Do not allow severe dry-down or overly wet soils. However, growing on the dry side will help control growth resulting in lower PGR use.
