Plant, care, hibernate and more

Plant colored nettles correctly

Only plant colored nettles in the bed when the temperatures are consistently above 12-14 degrees Celsius. The leafy beauties can be planted in the pot all year round, as long as the move to the balcony takes place in mid-May at the earliest. Please pay special attention to the following aspects:

Thoroughly loosen up the bedding soil, weed it and enrich it with acidic leaf compost or standard soil
In the pot and balcony box, use bog soil with some potsherds as drainage over the opening in the floor
Before potting, place the root ball in lime-free water until no more air bubbles rise
A boy Colored nettle Do not plant any deeper than just below the first pair of leaves

Care tips

The professional care of a colored nettle is primarily based on an ample supply of water and nutrients. All other measures are lined up behind it. How to do it right:

Pour regularly and spray with soft water
Weekly from May to September fertilize with liquid fertilizer for bog plants
Shoot too long shoots consistently to a maximum of 50 cm for bushy growth

If the mercury column falls below 15 degrees in autumn, put colored nettles in the pot or balcony box. A cut back by one to two thirds is now an advantage. In the bright, warm winter quarters, pour reduced watering and apply diluted liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks.
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Which location is suitable?

The choice of location plays a key role in professional cultivation. In order for the tropical foliage plant to reach its floral zenith, these basic conditions are important:

Bright, sunny location without blazing sun at noon
Warm and protected, preferably with high humidity
Temperature minimum of 12-14 degrees Celsius
Nutrient-rich, freshly moist soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH value

Since Solenostemon cannot tolerate the cold, they move to the sunny balcony at the earliest in May or are planted in the bed.
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What soil does the plant need?

Choose a nutrient-rich bog soil as the potting substrate, as this has the required neutral to slightly acidic pH value. Alternatively, the use of standard compost-based soil is conceivable. The addition of Lava granules(€ 14.00 at Amazon *) or Expanded clay(€ 16.35 at Amazon *) ensures the desired permeability. Annual cultivated in the summer bed, enrich humus-rich, fresh-moist soil with acidic leaf compost or Rhododendron soilso that the colored nettle develops splendidly.

When is the flowering time?

From June to October inconspicuous panicles of flowers rise above the magnificent foliage. Since these contribute little to the decorative appearance, experienced gardeners cut off the stems. Thanks to this foresight, you save a colored nettle the effort of growing seed heads.

Cut the colored nettle correctly

A cut at the right time provides valuable services so that the vigorous multicolored nettle retains its compact habit and does not become bulky. This is how it works:

From the beginning, the plant is repeatedly cut to support bushy growth
Consistently cut off the inconspicuous flower panicles
Before moving to winter quarters, shorten it by one to two thirds

Continuous sharpening does not necessarily require the use of scissors. Grasp the shoot just above a leaf or leaf knot between your thumb and forefinger and snap it off.

Pour the colored nettle

Water your colored nettle abundantly and regularly. The Asian beauty reacts indignantly to dried substrate by shedding leaves for a short time. On the sunny balcony or the light window sill, this may be necessary every day in summer. Ideally, use soft water to prevent the pH in the soil from increasing. Indulge the tropical foliage plant from time to time with a gentle spray of lime-free water in the early morning or in the evening.

Fertilize the colored nettle properly

The nutritional requirements of a colored nettle are at a high level. In potted plants, apply a liquid fertilizer for bog plants every week from May to September. Alternatively, apply one Slow release fertilizer as sticks, cones or granules in April and July. If the Solenostemon winters on the warm window sill, a dose of liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks is sufficient.

Overwinter

If the temperatures drop below 15 degrees Celsius in autumn, put colored nettles in the pot and balcony box. In the bright, warm winter quarters or on the sunny windowsill, the ornamental foliage plants linger until the next spring. Adjust the water supply to the reduced demand. It is fertilized every 4-6 weeks with diluted liquid fertilizer. In April, repot the overwintered leaf beauties in fresh substrate and gradually get used to more sunshine and warmer temperatures.
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Propagate colored nettles

You can easily multiply a colored nettle with cuttings. To do this, cut off head cuttings with a length of 10-12 cm in late summer. The lower part is defoliated so that the cuttings can be placed in pots with poor substrate. A plastic hood creates a warm, humid microclimate that promotes rooting. Keep the soil constantly moist in the partially shaded, warm window seat. You will cultivate a vital young plant by next spring.
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Colored nettle in the pot

Use bog soil or standard soil as a substrate in the pot to meet the requirement for a slightly acidic pH value. To prevent waterlogging later, place a pottery shard over the opening in the floor. In the sunny, warm spot on the balcony or the windowsill, pour the colored nettle abundantly and regularly with soft water. From May to September you fertilize weekly with a low-lime liquid fertilizer. Consistently remove the tips of shoots that are too long, because from 40-50 cm height the plant takes on a sparse habit. In winter, the tropical plant favors a bright location with temperatures not below 15 degrees Celsius.

Is it poisonous?

The colored nettle is assigned to the slightly poisonous plants. Since the brightly colored leaves could tempt curious children and pets to eat, the decorative leaf plant is not ideal for the family garden. Gardeners who are sensitive to essential oils should carry out planting and maintenance work with protective gloves.
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Nice varieties

The colored nettle was formerly known by its botanical name Coleus blumeii. In modern taxonomy, the ornamental leaf plant is referred to as a solenostemon. Since this change was only recently made, you will discover the plant in stores under both names.

Goldmarie: A dream in velvety, soft golden yellow with greenish ruffled leaf edges; Growth height 30-60 cm
Brilliancy: This Solenostemon hybrid is set in scene with carmine-red, pale yellow leaves; Growth height 30-50 cm
Sunset: A premium variety with reddish leaves with a golden yellow center; Growth height 30-50 cm
Black Dragon: An impressive beauty with purple-red foliage and a dark, curved border; Height 50 cm
Pink Rainbow: Magnificent festival of colors with copper-red leaves with green margins, veined with carmine red; Growth height 40-60 cm