Coleus scutellarioides 'Stained Glassworks Spacecake'

Coleus scutellarioides 'Stained Glassworks Spacecake'

Coleus scutellarioides 'Stained Glassworks Spacecake' is an upright, medium-vigorous coleus cultivar with bicolour foliage in the pink colour group. The leaves combine green outer tissue with warm pink-red central tones, creating a bright, full crown as the plant matures in a pot.

This Stained Glassworks cultivar develops a broad, colourful canopy when kept warm and pinched regularly. Its larger leaves need space to expand and an evenly moist root zone.

Coleus scutellarioides 'Stained Glassworks Spacecake' main traits

• Upright Stained Glassworks cultivar with medium-vigorous growth
• Bicolour foliage in green and pink-red tones
• Large leaves that build a full, leafy container shape
• Fast growth in warm, bright, evenly moist conditions
• Responsive to pruning and suitable for fuller pot culture

Leaf colour and form of Coleus scutellarioides 'Stained Glassworks Spacecake'

'Stained Glassworks Spacecake' has sizeable leaf blades with a prominent central colour pattern. Green outer areas frame the warmer centre, and the crown looks fuller as new leaves expand.

The Stained Glassworks series is a cultivated coleus group with large, coloured leaves. The species behind it is a tropical to subtropical Lamiaceae plant, native from Indo-China to Nansei-shōtō and northern Australia. In a pot, 'Spacecake' grows quickly in warmth, needs regular moisture during active growth and is sensitive to cold wet roots.

Container care for Coleus scutellarioides 'Stained Glassworks Spacecake'

• Light: Provide bright indirect light or filtered sun. Strong midday sun can scorch tender foliage, especially behind glass.
• Watering: Keep the substrate evenly moist during active growth. Larger leaves lose water quickly, so check pots more often in warm rooms or summer containers.
• Substrate: Use a fertile, airy potting mix that holds moisture while draining freely. Add mineral aeration to reduce compaction around the roots.
• Temperature: Grow warm, ideally around 18–25 °C. Keep away from cold draughts and unheated window ledges.
• Humidity: Moderate humidity reduces dry edges on newly opened leaves. Dry heat can lead to crisping, especially on new growth.
• Feeding: Feed lightly through active growth with a balanced fertiliser. Soft, oversized growth can result from too much nitrogen in weak light.
• Pruning: Pinch early to build a branched crown. Larger shoots can be shortened during the season to keep the plant balanced in the pot.
• Repotting: Repot when roots fill the container and watering becomes uneven. Use only a modest size increase to keep moisture manageable.
• Propagation: Take healthy stem tips as cuttings and root them warm. This refreshes older plants with woody stems.
• Outdoor summer placement: Use sheltered part shade or filtered sun after gradual acclimation, especially during hot weather.

Reading stress signals in Coleus scutellarioides 'Stained Glassworks Spacecake'

• Leaf scorch: Pale, dry patches can follow harsh direct sun or heat through glass. Move to filtered light and keep watering steadier.
• Collapsed leaves: Check whether the substrate is dry throughout the root ball. Large leaves can wilt fast when moisture runs low.
• Soft stems near soil level: Cold, wet conditions can weaken the base. Improve warmth, drainage and air movement around the pot.
• Distorted young leaves: Inspect new growth closely for aphids, mealybug, whitefly or spider mites.

Safe placement for Coleus scutellarioides 'Stained Glassworks Spacecake'

Repeated handling of Coleus scutellarioides foliage may cause mild irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive skin. Keep Coleus scutellarioides 'Stained Glassworks Spacecake' away from pets and children who chew plants, and wash hands after pruning or taking cuttings.

Botanical context for Coleus scutellarioides 'Stained Glassworks Spacecake'

The accepted species is Coleus scutellarioides, in the mint family, Lamiaceae. Coleus comes from Greek koleos, meaning sheath, referring to the fused stamens. The species epithet scutellarioides means resembling Scutellaria, whose name is linked to Latin scutella, a small dish or bowl.

Coleus scutellarioides 'Stained Glassworks Spacecake' has broad pink-centred leaves on upright, medium-vigorous growth.