Botanical Name: Plectranthus scutellarioides ‘FlameThrower™ Cajun Spice’

Common Name: Coleus

Hardiness Zone: Annual in Most Climates; Perennial in Warm Regions (USDA Zones 10–11)

Size: 24–30" Tall × 18–24" Spread

Growth Habit: Upright, Vigorous, Well-Branched Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade (Excellent Heat & Sun Tolerance)

Soil: Prefers Moist, Well-Drained, Organic-Rich Soil

Water Needs: Moderate; Consistent Moisture for Best Performance

Bloom Season: Grown for Foliage (Spring through Fall)

Fertilizer: Light, Regular Feeding During Active Growth

Features: Fiery Red-Orange Leaves with Gold and Green Accents, Exceptional Heat Tolerance, Strong Stems, Bold Texture

Uses: Ideal for Containers, Landscape Beds, Back-of-Border Plantings, Mass Plantings, and High-Impact Designs

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

See our complete Coleus Plant Guide for in depth care details.

More About Coleus ‘FlameThrower™ Cajun Spice’

‘Cajun Spice’ doesn’t just have color — it throws it. The reds aren’t flat. The oranges aren’t timid. There are layers in those leaves,  copper near the center, a molten gold glow that shows up strongest in the sun, and then little whispers of green underneath that keep it from looking painted-on. In late afternoon light, it almost looks backlit, like it’s glowing from the inside. I’ve had customers stop mid-walk and ask, “What is THAT?” And that’s when you know you’ve got something special.

I grew up thinking of Coleus as a shade plant. Tucked under porches. Soft and delicate. But this FlameThrower™ series rewrites the rulebook. ‘Cajun Spice’ thrives in full sun. And I mean real sun, not “morning sun.” I’ve watched it sit in 95-degree heat with humidity thick as syrup and still hold its shape. No floppy stems. No washed-out leaves. Just upright, structured growth that stays full without constant pinching.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

When I first planted ‘FlameThrower™ Cajun Spice’, I’ll be honest with you — I didn’t tuck it into some pampered, filtered-light bed. I stuck it right out in the open, in one of those blazing South Carolina spots where the pavement radiates heat and most foliage plants wave a white flag by July. I wanted to see what it would really do. 

One Summer, we trialed it in three totally different conditions; a blazing full-sun container in the Courtyard, a raised bed near our gravel drive where reflected heat can be brutal, and a mixed combo with ornamental grasses in Production. The one in the container grew so fast we had to up-pot it mid-season because it completely outgrew its neighbors. The raised bed planting? It never flinched. No bleaching. No sulking. Just thicker stems and richer color as the temperatures climbed. That’s when I realized this wasn’t just another pretty Coleus, this one was built for our climate.

FlameThrower™ Cajun Spice vs. Other Coleus

‘Cajun Spice’ is the warmest-toned coleus in this lineup, easily distinguished from cooler reds like ‘Main Street Beale Street’ or ‘Defiance’. Its fiery blends of orange, red, and burgundy create motion that darker varieties simply don’t replicate. Within the FlameThrower™ series, Cajun Spice is heavier and more grounding than ‘FlameThrower™ Salsa Verde’. Where Salsa Verde lifts designs, Cajun Spice anchors them, making the two an excellent pairing.

Compared to upright standards such as ‘Main Street Wall Street’ or ‘Peter’s Wonder’, Cajun Spice is the most visually active. It sacrifices uniformity for excitement, which is exactly its strength in bold landscapes. For gardeners looking for a rich, fiery Coleus that brings warmth, motion, and standout color to summer plantings, ‘FlameThrower™ Cajun Spice’ is an exceptional choice.