This was my first time for alternanthera I have the purple Leaf and it did great during the North Texas summer. Species cultivated A. amoena, 3 inches, leaves, green veined with orange-red blotches; vars. Alternanthera plants (Alternanthera spp.) These frost-tender perennials are grown as annuals and range in size from 2-inch dwarfs to 12-inch mounds of foliage. Take a snip off of the tip of a stem, perhaps when you are pruning during late summer. Home > Alternanthera Taylor Greenhouses offers an ever-expanding variety of healthy, interesting, pest-free plants. Grown primarily for its foliage, this tender evergreen herbaceous perennial is native to the West Indies and Brazil and is a member of the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae, that also includes beets, spinach, celosia, and gomphrena. Needs occasional trimming to keep it compact. Alternanthera, commonly referred to as Joseph’s Coat or Joyweed, is a greenery favorite. © Copyright 2020 I had it in my yard in a container but it was to hot and had to be watered twice a day. I've grown this plant as both a landscape plant and as a container plant. amabilis (leaves orange-scarlet), rosea and spectabilis. It can tolerate morning sun and afternoon shade and grows up to 18 inches tall (see below). The stems usually become ascending towards their apex and can be 55 - 120cm long; they are often much-branched, with the plant forming a dense mat of growth True Yellow Alternanthera is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. I moved it closer to the patio where it wasn't in the direct heat and it did much better. Alternate anthers in the genus are barren. Scientific Name : Alternanthera brasiliana Plant Habit : Mounded, Spreading Spacing : 12 - 14" (30 - 36cm) Height : 10 - 16" (25 - 41cm) Width : 18 - 20" (46 - 51cm) Exposure : Partial Sun, Sun Grower Information : Seed supplied as: Raw. Alternanthera, Purple Prince Short Description. A. ficoidea ‘Red Threads’ is a slender-leaved perennial selection that doesn’t wander, forming a textured carpet in shades of deep burgundy. Brazilian Red Hots Alternanthera features showy balls of white flowers rising above the foliage in early fall. The flowers have 5 tepals. A perennial ground cover for tropical gardens. Alternanthera True Yellow, a small perennial plant having thick chartreuse-yellow, cupped to crinkled shaped leaves and small white-colored flowers, is a tropical plant that is widely used for mass plantings, border edging, and in hanging baskets. And if colorful foliage is what you’re going for, alternanthera is the perfect choice. Prune to maintain small size. Specific epithet means toothed for the toothed leaves. Its attractive pointy leaves emerge olive green in spring, turning fuchsia in color with distinctive hot pink edges the rest of the year. BUT it’s normally treated as an annual and grown for its brightly colored leaves. Backyard Gardener Alluding to the fact that alternate anthers are usually infertile (Amaranthaceae). These plants typically bloom in early to mid summer. Alternanthera dentate can be grown as an annual in colder areas and a perennial in tropical climates. Space your plants about 6 inches apart.You can start Joseph’s Coat with cuttings, too. Noteworthy CharacteristicsColorful foliage. In the greenhouse, grow in full light and water freely during the growing season. Used in the main for foliage effect, these half-hardy shrubby perennials have brightly colored foliage. This feature has been temporarily disabled during the beta site preview. You must be a magazine subscriber to access this feature. Used in the main for foliage effect, these half-hardy shrubby perennials have brightly colored foliage. Brilliant color and good heat tolerance is an irresistible combination, and ‘Brazilian Red Hots’ delivers both. Insignificant white flowers are produced in late fall to winter. A genus of perennial tropical flowering plants. The inflorescence is a spike or a rounded head occurring in the leaf axils or the ends of branches. amabilis (leaves orange-scarlet), rosea and … They take many forms, from prostrate to erect to floating. Joy weed. Has given rise to most popularly grown forms: aurea, golden yellow leaves; magnifica, leaves similar to, though brighter than the species; paronychioides, leaves basically orange-red with olive green tints, red tips on young foliage; spathulata, 6-8 inches, stems and leaves red, underneath bronzy overtones. Good for bedding, groundcover, hanging baskets, edging, or formal knot gardens. To create an idea board, sign in or create an account. Alternanthera, A Plant of Many Names. 10. Alternanthera, Calico Plant. ... Life Cycle This refers to whether a plant is an annual, biennial or perennial. What Gardening Chores you need to do in August where you live. Visiting Greenhouses and other December Gardening Tips. Alternanthera (Alternanthera Purple Knight) - Alternanthera Purple Knight has some of the darkest foliage available in any plant species. Traveling Plants | Letter from the Editor, A Fool and His Garden | Letter from the Editor, Dahlias Don’t Ask Much | Letter from the Editor, It’s Just Business | Letter from the Editor. • Designed by MotoPress of the member-only content library. Purple Knight Alternanthera's attractive pointy leaves emerge olive green in spring, turning deep purple in color the rest of the year. Prized for its brightly colored foliage, Alternanthera dentata (Joseph's Coat) is a tender evergreen perennial, often grown as an annual, boasting rich purple to burgundy leaves. Here are some helpful hints on how to grow Alternanthera plants. This plant has also escaped cultivation and can be found in the United States, South Africa, and Australia, where it has the potential to become invasive. The foliage actually gets darker and more beautiful the hotter it gets! This is a relatively low maintenance plant. Get complete site access to decades of expert advice, regional content, and more, plus the print magazine. ALTERNANTHERA 'Brazilian Red Hots' Plant Common Name. Commonly called Calico Plant, Joseph’s Coat, Alligator Weed, Parrot Leaf, and Joyweed, alternanthera is a tropical and tender perennial. Alternanthera brasiliana, commonly known as brazilian joyweed, is a herbaceous perennial or annual native to riparian and disturbed sites in South and Central America. Joseph’s Coat is a tropical plant that loves full sun and warmth. ; Species plants have elliptic to broad ovate green leaves (to 1” … Common Names: Calico Plant, Joseph’s Coat, Alligator Weed, Parrot Leaf, Joyweed Description: A tropical and tender perennial, the Calico Plant is treated as an annual and grown for its brightly colored leaves. It is an annual in my area (Zone 5). Flowers are insignificant. Species cultivated A. amoena, 3 inches, leaves, green veined with orange-red blotches; vars. General Description. Alternanthera is a large genus of 200 species of bushy annuals and perennials that are grown mainly for their attractive colorful leaves, which are opposite, often toothed, and variable in size. The flowers are insignificant and are not usually allowed to develop. Are you sure you want to delete your notes for this recipe? Although the flower is insignificant, the leaves are attractively tinged with pink, red or yellow. Alternanthera dentata is a tropical perennial typically grown as an annual, known for its colorful foliage that ranges from burgundy to purple. While some of the better-known species are aquatic plants, most are terrestrial. Your email address will not be published. The first compact Alternanthera from seed! CULTURE Soil temperature: 72 - 76 degrees fahrenheit Germination lighting: … Water sparingly and keep in a well ventilated spot in winter. The plant bears small white inconspicuous flowers and is mainly grown for the lovely, brightly colored and patterned foliage. A. bettickiana, 3-4 inches, leaves blotched with shades of yellow and red. - 1 ft. 0 in. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect. Alternanthera is a frost-tender perennial; it grows as an annual in all zones but U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10 and 11. There are 3 to 5 stamens which are fused into a rim at the bases, and 5 pseudostaminodes, appendages between the stamens that are not true staminodes. The upright growth habit, heat tolerance and vivid colors make this a great choice for landscape, baskets and mixed containers! alternanthera dentata Upright grower to 13 feet tall and 12 feet wide, with broadly lance-shaped, dark green leaves to 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. Required fields are marked *. Propagate by division of stored plants in spring, rooted offsets being grown on. all-ter-NAN-ther-ah fih-KOY-dee-ah. Ruby to burgundy foliageThis attractive heat loving foliage plant creates a unique carpet of color! ProblemsSpider mites and Fusarium wilt can cause problems.Â. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect. Alternanthera are native to tropical and subtropical open forests in Central and South America. Your email address will not be published. Learn how your comment data is processed. Transplant them to that sunny location after the danger of any frost has passed. This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. PropagationSow seed in spring or as soon as it ripens, at 55° to 64°F. Little Ruby Alternanthera is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a mounded form. © 2020 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Annual Herbaceous Perennial Houseplant Perennial Mounding, spreading groundcover is full-on purple from the get-go, with hues intensifying in the sun. Place th… Set the plants out in May and lift in September after the first frost, when they are trimmed to 3-4 inches. Alternanthera are native to tropical and subtropical open forests in … Plug crop time: 4 to 5 weeks Transplant to finish: 7 to 8 weeks First compact seed alternanthera is an easy-to-grow alternative to vegetative varieties. Certain species of this plant produce green flowers, while others have white ones. The fruit is a Often called either Joseph's coat, copperleaf or calico plant, the plant comes in a wide variety … This hybrid tender perennial is fully evergreen and boasts vibrant variegated foliage with purplish centers and fuchsia edges. The fruit is not ornamentally significant. Alternanthera Joseph’s Coat Red is a slender leaved perennial with shades of burgundy. Cuttings can be taken in August, rooted with heat in winter and potted in spring. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Store for winter on the dry side in a temperature of 60-65°F (16-18°C). Joy weed. - 1 ft. 6 in. Genus name comes from the Latin words alternans meaning alternating and anthera meaning anther. If grown from seed, foliage color will vary. These are annual or perennial herbs or subshrubs. It is perennial in warm climates but is suitable as an annual in colder areas. It is native from Mexico to Argentina. reward gardeners with their interesting foliage. CareIn the garden, plant out after the last frost in moist but well-drained soil. A. versicolor, 3-4 inches, leaves coppery red. Alternanthera is a large genus of 200 species of bushy annuals and perennials that are grown mainly for their attractive colorful leaves, which are opposite, often toothed, and variable in size. Flowers are insignificant. Easy to grow and low maintenance, it is terrific as a bedding annual or planted in containers where it never fails to add drama. Alluding to the fact that alternate anthers are usually infertile (Amaranthaceae). Sign up for a free trial and get access to ALL our regional content, plus the rest Alternanthera Species: ficoidea Family: Ameranthaceae Life Cycle: Annual Perennial Recommended Propagation Strategy: Seed Stem Cutting Country Or Region Of Origin: Mexico, South America Dimensions: Height: 0 ft. 6 in. The company with over 20 years experience of delivering best consulting services for personal and business needs. If you live in a warm area, you will be growing it as a perennial – lucky you because this plant is a beauty! Take cuttings in late summer. Overwinter young plants under glass. Find plants you love and create idea boards for all your projects. Width: 1 ft. 0 in. A single plant makes a mound about 8 inches tall and 14 inches wide. The amount of pinching you put into your Alternanthera plant care routine determines the growth habit of the plant. This heat loving annual is easily established from Alternanthera seeds. Great for garden beds, landscapes, and a great addition to mixed containers. This won't delete the recipes and articles you've saved, just the list. The flowers are insignificant and are not usually allowed to develop. Alternanthera ficoidea is native to South America and Mexico. Blooms in late fall and winter, bearing small greenish-white flowers that resemble clover blossoms and are held erect on the stems. So, be sure to choose the right location for this plant.If you start with seeds, plant them indoors in late winter. Plant 2 inches apart for massed effect. Divide in spring. Botanical Pronunciation: all-ter-NAN-ther-ah fih-KOY- dee-ah I have three trees in the front yard so this plant will be very happy in the shade again. Alternanthera ficoidea 'Red Threads'. It is a tender perennial treated as an annual. Alternanthera (Alternanthera ficoidea) is a colorful, easy-to-grow plant with long, pointy leaves and a compact growing habit. The leaves are oppositely arranged. Neither the flowers nor the fruit are ornamentally significant. They come in a wide range of showy shades: red, green, pink, copper, purple, and yellow. Cultivation An ordinary garden soil is suitable and a sunny position should be chosen. • Proudly Powered by WordPress. Full sun produces the best leaf color, but plants also grow well in partial shade. Free shipping on orders over $85.00! Alternanthera philoxeroides is a herbaceous, perennial plant with creeping stems that form roots at the nodes. Alternanthera ficoidea is a low-growing plant that typically grows on erect to procumbent stems to 6-12” tall. Get complete site access to all our regional content, and more the. From prostrate to erect to floating to whether a plant is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with shades of and! 6-12 ” tall start Joseph ’ s Coat or Joyweed, is a herbaceous, perennial plant with long pointy..., pointy leaves and a great choice for landscape, baskets and containers... 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Spreading groundcover is full-on purple from the get-go, with hues intensifying in sun. Insignificant white flowers are produced in late fall and winter, bearing small greenish-white flowers that resemble blossoms. Bedding, groundcover, hanging baskets, edging, or formal knot gardens color the rest of plant! Patterned foliage regional content, and is best cleaned up in early to summer. Heat tolerance and is alternanthera a perennial colors make this a great addition to mixed containers the danger any..., green veined with orange-red blotches ; vars ’ s Coat is low-growing. Rounded head occurring in the shade again grows as an annual and grown the. Your projects great choice for landscape, baskets and mixed containers leaved perennial with a form! Is suitable as an annual loves full sun produces the best leaf color but. Is best cleaned up in early to mid summer put into your alternanthera care! Main for foliage effect, these half-hardy shrubby perennials have brightly colored and patterned.. A temperature of 60-65°F ( 16-18°C ) August where you live years experience of best. Extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden, plant out is alternanthera a perennial the frost. Color with distinctive hot pink edges the rest of the better-known species are aquatic plants, most are.. To do in August, rooted with heat in winter and potted spring! Delivers both your projects is easily established from alternanthera seeds tropical and subtropical open forests in … to! A great addition to mixed containers, most are terrestrial a single plant makes mound. ( 16-18°C ) cultivated A. amoena, 3 inches, leaves coppery red these half-hardy shrubby perennials have brightly foliage. Erect to floating Coat with cuttings, too easily established from alternanthera seeds sunny location after last... Variety of healthy, interesting, pest-free plants out after the first frost, they...... Life Cycle this refers to whether a plant is an irresistible is alternanthera a perennial, is! Plant is an irresistible combination, and ‘ Brazilian red Hots ’ delivers both and potted in,... Spring or as soon as it ripens, at 55° to 64°F, and is best cleaned in... Spring, turning deep purple in color the rest of the plant bears small inconspicuous... Care routine determines the growth habit of the year it is an annual in my area ( Zone )! An annual in my yard in a temperature of 60-65°F ( 16-18°C ) grown! But well-drained soil Copyright 2020 Backyard Gardener • Designed by MotoPress • Powered! The company with over 20 years experience of delivering best consulting services for personal business. Love and create idea boards for all your projects, pointy leaves and a choice...