Alternanthera Plant

Alternanthera plant

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. Insignificant white flowers are produced in late fall to winter.

Is Alternanthera a shrub?

Alternanthera is an annual shrub of interest to gardeners. Alternantheras, of which there are possibly 200 species, are brilliantly colored foliage plants used for their leaves. Different species and varieties are strongly marked with yellow, pink, red, and coppery red.

What is the common name for Alternanthera?

Alternanthera sessilis is a flowering plant known by several common names, including sissoo spinach, Brazilian spinach, sessile joyweed and dwarf copperleaf. It is cultivated as a vegetable worldwide.

Is Alternanthera cold hardy?

Temperature. H1a (Hardiness Zone 13) - Must be grown indoors to maintain foliage all year round. Although indoor Alternanthera can withstand temperatures down to 12°C (54°F), they could produce flowers and most likely die shortly afterwards, as they cannot tolerate cool periods for long.

Can Alternanthera grow in full sun?

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade.

Can Alternanthera be a houseplant?

Indoors, grow alternanthera in bright light. It's one houseplant that can tolerate a lot of direct sun on its foliage (in fact, the more light it gets, the better its foliage color will be). Water enough to keep the soil moist, but not wet or soggy.

Can Alternanthera be grown from cuttings?

Janelle is propagating plants from tip cuttings - including the foliage plant, Alternanthera. After dipping the cuttings in rooting hormone gel they go into plug trays - but their treatment differs from the trays of seed.

Is Alternanthera toxic to humans?

Not toxic through physical contact. The plant has been cultivated and consumed in Australia in the mistaken belief it is the culinary herb A. sessilis, known commonly as Mukunu-wenna. The plant does contain calcium oxalate crystals.

Can you prune Alternanthera?

you can cut its stem just above the soil's surface to remove it. Such pruning can take place as needed during spring and summer. Also, this plant can bloom any time between spring and fall, and some gardeners choose to remove flower buds before they have a chance to open.

Can Alternanthera grow out of water?

Family	Amaranthaceae
pH Range	6.5 – 7.5

How do you make Alternanthera bushy?

Pinch back growing tips on individual branches at any time to stimulate side-branching that keeps plants looking bushy, advises North Calorina State University Cooperative Extension. To rejuvenate older plants and stimulate overall new growth, prune plants back to within 3 or 4 inches of the ground.

Is Alternanthera drought tolerant?

Alternanthera is a good landscape choice for dry summer conditions. As with any drought-tolerant plant, supplemental irrigation during prolonged periods of drought helps keep the plants going strong.

Is Alternanthera frost resistant?

This Alternanthera loves humidity, but can also tolerate frost better than most forms. In very cold climates, it will still need to be in a sheltered position.

Is Alternanthera an evergreen?

This dwarf evergreen ground cover is grown for its coloured foliage and wavy leaves. Ideal for planting in full sun to part shade in mass or as a splash of colour throughout mixed garden beds.

Are Alternanthera annuals?

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.

Is Alternanthera an aquarium plant?

Alternanthera Reineckii Lilacina is a long-time and well-known aquarium plant species in the planted tank hobby.

How big does Alternanthera grow?

Size & Growth This plant grows around 12” inches tall and spreads 12” inches wide, which is a typical growth habit among its species. The burgundy foliage of this plant remains dense to the ground.

What is Alternanthera used for?

It is used as a local medicine often in mixtures with other medicinal plants, to treat hepatitis, tight chest, bronchitis, asthma and other lung troubles. The leaves and shoots boiled and drunk as antihypertensive remedy [10].

Is Alternanthera yellow a perennial?

Landscape Attributes. True Yellow Alternanthera is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

What does Alternanthera look like?

Joseph's coat plants (Alternanthera spp.) are popular for their colorful foliage that includes several shades of burgundy, red, orange, yellow, and lime green. Some species have single or bi-colored leaves, while others have the entire rainbow of color in a single plant.

13 Alternanthera plant Images