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Alternanthera dentata 'Brazilian Red Hots'

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
al-ter-NANTH-ur-uh den-TAY-tuh
Description

'Brazilian Red Hots' is a cultivar of Joseph's coat with striking bright red to hot pink variegated leaves. It grows from 1 to 3  feet tall and 18 inches wide with a mounding habit.

Plant in moist organically rich soil with good drainage. It will grow in sun to partial shade but the best leaf color occurs in full sun..  'Brazilia Red Hots' not only refers to the red hot leaves, but the plant itself loves heat and humidity.  They are drought tolerant once established and do best if they are planted in the early spring.  Cut it back lightly in late spring and again in late summer to promote fresh bushy growth.

Use as a houseplant, container plant, or as a bedding plant in a cottage garden.  Great for use on the patio in the summer or nestled into the garden to provide a pop of additional color, or along the front of a border.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.

 

More information on Alternanthera dentata.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#houseplant#red leaves#showy leaves#pink leaves#cottage garden#upright form#fast growing#tropical herbaceous perennial#variegated#border front#humidity tolerant#container plant#patio#drought tolerant annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#houseplant#red leaves#showy leaves#pink leaves#cottage garden#upright form#fast growing#tropical herbaceous perennial#variegated#border front#humidity tolerant#container plant#patio#drought tolerant annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Alternanthera
    Species:
    dentata
    Family:
    Amaranthaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South America
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small white ball shaped flowers in fall
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Variegated
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Lance-shaped leaves that have blotches of hot pink and purple.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Humidity