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A fantastic new variety for 2025 and the perfect way to create colourful foliage interest in containers and baskets. Eye catching enough to fill a pot with colour on its own, Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘Spitfire’ will also contrast and collaborate with bedding plants for your own artistic creations. The evergreen leaves will even fill gaps in herbaceous borders from late spring through to early autumn – before outside temperatures dip below 5°C. Also known as ‘Painted Nettle’ because of it beautiful leaves, Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘Spitfire’ has elongated, serrated foliage and an upright, spreading growth habit which forms a gently arching ‘fountain’ of reds, browns and greens reaching a height and spread of 45cm. Plant in fertile, well-drained soil which benefits from either sun or shade with a south or east facing aspect. Classified as a warm temperate (H1c), evergreen perennial and most frequently grown as an annual. Plants can, however, be relocated into a heated greenhouse or conservatory once temperatures fall below 5°C and then returned outdoors again the following spring as temperatures begin to rise.
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Key Information
| Latin Name | Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘Spitfire’ |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Painted Nettle |
| Hardiness | H1c (5 to 10°C) |
| Format | Young Plants |
| Position | Full-Sun, Part-Shade, Part-Sun |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Height in Maturity (m) | 0.45 m |
| Spread in Maturity (m) | 0.45 |
| Soil Conditions | Chalk Clay Loam Sand |
| Soil Acidity | Acid Alkaline Neutral |
| Aspect | East-facing, South-facing |
| Good for pots | Yes |
