Growing Coleus Campfire: My Experience with This Flame-Colored Wonder
- Alla P.
- Feb 5
- 4 min read
When I first encountered Coleus Campfire in a specialty nursery three years ago, its vibrant flame-orange foliage immediately captured my attention. Unlike any coleus I had grown before, this stunning variety has since become the centerpiece of my garden displays and container arrangements. Let me share my journey with Coleus Campfire and why this remarkable plant deserves a place in your collection.
What Makes Coleus Campfire Truly Special
Coleus Campfire stands apart from other coleus varieties with several distinctive characteristics. The most striking feature is its intense orange-red foliage that genuinely resembles flickering flames. Unlike typical coleus varieties with their purples, greens, and burgundies, Coleus Campfire's orange coloration remains uniquely vivid throughout the growing season. I've found that this color actually intensifies in partial sun rather than fading—a rare quality among orange-leaved plants.
My experience growing dozens of coleus varieties revealed another Coleus
Campfire advantage: exceptional heat tolerance. While many of my other coleus plants struggled during our record-breaking summer temperatures, Coleus Campfire maintained its vigor and color intensity even when temperatures exceeded 95°F for weeks.
Additionally, Coleus Campfire grows with a naturally mounding habit that requires less pinching than other varieties. This self-branching quality creates fuller plants with minimal maintenance, something I particularly appreciate in my busy garden schedule.
My Coleus Campfire Growing Journey
My first Coleus Campfire plant taught me several valuable lessons through trial and error. Initially, I placed it in deep shade alongside other coleus varieties, following conventional wisdom. The plant grew adequately but didn't develop the brilliant orange coloration that had attracted me in the first place.
After researching its specific needs, I relocated it to a spot receiving morning sun and afternoon shade. The transformation was remarkable—within two weeks, the foliage developed that signature fiery orange glow that makes this variety so distinctive. I've since discovered that Coleus Campfire performs best with 3-4 hours of direct morning sunlight followed by filtered light or shade.
Soil Secrets for Spectacular Coleus Campfire
Through experimentation, I've found that Coleus Campfire has specific soil preferences that differ from other coleus varieties. While most coleus plants thrive in standard potting mix, Coleus Campfire produces the most vibrant coloration in slightly acidic soil (pH 5.8-6.2). I create a custom mix by blending:
60% quality potting soil
20% peat moss to lower pH
10% perlite for drainage
10% compost for nutrition
This composition has consistently produced the most spectacular color development in my Coleus Campfire plants. I also add a tablespoon of coffee grounds to the planting hole, which seems to enhance that flame-orange intensity as it slowly releases nitrogen and mildly acidifies the soil.
Water and Feeding: Finding the Perfect Balance
Unlike many coleus varieties that demand constantly moist soil, I've discovered that Coleus Campfire performs best with a slight dry-down between waterings. This approach develops stronger roots and intensifies leaf coloration. I typically water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
For fertilization, I've experimented with various regimens and found that Coleus Campfire responds best to a specific feeding schedule:
Monthly application of balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at half strength
Supplemental feeding with phosphorus-rich fertilizer (5-10-5) every six weeks
Avoiding high-nitrogen fertilizers that diminish color intensity
This precise feeding strategy consistently produces the most vivid orange coloration while maintaining compact, bushy growth.
Pruning Techniques for Maximum Impact
While Coleus Campfire naturally grows more compactly than other varieties, I've developed a pruning technique that maximizes its unique attributes:
Initial pinch: When plants reach 6 inches tall, remove just the top half-inch of growth
Selective thinning: Remove every third new stem to improve air circulation
Maintenance pruning: Pinch stems at varying heights for a more natural appearance
Flower removal: Promptly remove flower spikes to maintain energy for foliage production
This approach creates plants with tremendous visual impact while maintaining their distinctive mounding habit. I've found that Coleus Campfire responds particularly well to this less aggressive pruning strategy compared to other varieties that require more frequent pinching.
Companion Planting Magic with Coleus Campfire
Through trial and error, I've discovered that Coleus Campfire creates spectacular combinations with specific companion plants:
Purple sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) provides striking color contrast
Silver dichondra offers textural complement that emphasizes the orange foliage
Blue lobelia creates a complementary color pairing that makes both plants pop
Yellow calibrachoa amplifies the warm color scheme while adding floral interest
These pairings enhance Coleus Campfire's unique color in ways I haven't experienced with other coleus varieties. In my front yard containers, the Coleus Campfire and purple sweet potato vine combination consistently draws compliments from neighbors and passers-by.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Despite its resilience, Coleus Campfire can present specific challenges:
Color Fading: If leaves begin losing their vibrant orange, I've found that increasing light exposure and applying a dose of phosphorus-rich fertilizer typically restores color intensity within two weeks.
Leggy Growth: While less prone to legginess than other coleus varieties, Coleus Campfire may stretch in insufficient light. Moving to a brighter location and performing a light pruning quickly restores compact growth.
Temperature Sensitivity: Though heat-tolerant, my Coleus Campfire plants struggle when temperatures drop below 50°F. I bring containers indoors before fall temperatures drop, ensuring they receive bright indirect light through winter.
Winter Care and Preservation
Unlike many garden annuals, I've successfully overwintered Coleus Campfire for multiple seasons using these specific techniques:
Bring plants indoors before temperatures drop below 55°F
Place in bright, indirect light (an east-facing window works perfectly)
Reduce watering to when top 2 inches of soil are dry
Maintain temperatures between 60-70°F
Apply diluted fertilizer (quarter strength) monthly
Provide moderate humidity via pebble trays
Following this regimen, my original Coleus Campfire plant has thrived for three consecutive years, growing more vigorous each season.
Why Coleus Campfire Deserves a Place in Your Garden
After growing dozens of coleus varieties over the years, Coleus Campfire remains my absolute favorite for several reasons:
Its truly unique orange coloration cannot be found in other varieties
Superior heat tolerance means reliable performance through summer
Natural branching habit requires less maintenance
Versatility in containers, borders, and mass plantings
Ability to thrive in partial sun locations where other coleus would fade
Whether you're a seasoned coleus collector or just beginning to explore these versatile foliage plants, Coleus Campfire offers distinctive qualities that set it apart from every other variety available.
My journey with this remarkable plant continues to evolve, but one thing remains certain: the fiery orange glow of Coleus Campfire has permanently claimed a spotlight position in my garden design palette.
Comments