How to Grow and Care for Alternanthera -- Garden Chronicle

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Alternanthera is a tropical perennial grown for its colorful leaves. The leaves are green and variegated with yellow, red, orange, purple, or bronze. Alternanthera grows to 12 inches (30cm) tall.

Alternanthera can grow bushy or ground-hugging. It is often grown outdoors as a border plant in tropical and subtropical regions. It is grown as a houseplant in cool, temperate regions.

The leaves of Alternanthera become more colorful and luscious with exposure to light.

Alternanthera is a genus of about 100 species native to forests in tropical Central and South America.

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Table of Contents

Get to Know Alternanthera

Plant type: Perennial
Growing zones and range: Zones 11-12
Optimal growing temperature: day, 80° to 85°F (27° to 29°C); night, 62° to 65°F (17° to 18°C).
Height and width: 12 inches (30cm) tall and wide
Foliage: Ground-hugging or erect bushy plant that grows to 12 inches (30cm) tall. Small, paired leaves are green and variegated with yellow, red, orange, purple, or bronze.
Flowers: Insignificant flowers borne in terminal axillary spikes
Bloom time:  Summer
Uses: Houseplant,  outdoors as a border plant in a tropical garden
Common name: Copperleaf, Joseph’s coat, parrot leaf 
Botanical name:  Alternanthera
Family name: Amaranthaceae
Origin: Forests in tropical Central and South America

Where to Plant Alternanthera

Light: Give Alternanthera direct light, a warm temperature, and average humidity.
Light indoors: Bright light, full sun from southern exposure.
Light outdoors: Grow in full sun for the best leaf color, or in partial shade.
Soil: Grow Alternanther in moist well-drained soil rich in organic matter; add an all-purpose soil mix.

When to Plant Alternanthera

Set outdoors Alternanthera in the garden in tropical and subtropical climates any time of the year.

Planting and Spacing Alternanthera

Space  Alternanthera 12 inches (30cm) apart.

How to Water and Feed Alternanthera

Water: Keep soil evenly moist, not soggy, Humidity of 50% is best.
Feeding: Fertilize Alternanthera monthly, with mild liquid fertilizer. Fertilize in spring and summer.

Alternanthera Care 

Alternanthera will rest slightly after blooming; during the rest period keep the plant in a cool location, 60°F (16°C). gradually decrease water, keeping the soil barely moist

Growing Alternanthera as a Houseplant

Give Alternanthera direct light, a warm temperature, and average humidity.
Keep the soil evenly moist.
Fertilize in spring and summer.
Pinch the stems back to control leggy growth and encourage bushiness.

Alternanthera Pests and Diseases 

Alternanthera is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies.

Alternanthera Propagation 

Propagate Alternanthera from stern cuttings and pot in an all-purpose soil mix. By division or stem cuttings.

Alternanthera Varieties to Grow 

Alternanthera ficoidea. Forms a low-growing mat of green leaves that may be highlighted with red, purple, or bronze.
A. f. ‘Amoena’ grows in a bushy form to 9 inches tall; with dense branches with reddish brown leaves covered with patterns, veins, and blotches of light red and orange. 
A. f. ‘Bettzickiana’ grows in a rounded, bushy form. Leaves are narrow, contorted, and may be solid green, cream, oink, salmon-red or a combination of these colors. 
A. f. ‘Versicolor’, copperleaf. Coppery red foliage in plenty of sun, becoming green and bronze in low light; wavy edges are pink or white.

Alternanthera Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I grow Alternanthera from seed?

A: Alternanthera can not be grown from seed. It is propagated by cuttings. Take cuttings from Alternanthera at the end of the summer, overwinter them in the house, and plant them out the following spring after all danger of frost has passed.

Q: What growing conditions does Alternanthera like?

A: Plant in full sun in a warm location with average garden soil. The plants grow neat and are perfect for creating designs, as well as for edgings to formal plantings.

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