Alternanthera dentata
Common Name(s):
- Joseph's Coat
- Upright Calico Plant
- Phonetic Spelling
- al-ter-NAN-ther-a den-TAY-ta
- Description
Alternanthera dentata is a tropical perennial typically grown as an annual, known for its colorful foliage that ranges from burgundy to purple. Genus name comes from the Latin words alternans meaning alternating and anthera meaning anther. Alternate anthers in the genus are barren. Specific epithet means toothed for the toothed leaves. Alternanthera dentata like rich, consistently moist, and well-drained soil. It has best leaf color when in full sun. Pinch stem ends to promote compact bushiness.
Season: Spring to frost
- Cultivars:
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- Purple Knight
- Snow Queen
- Purple Knight
- Tags:
- Cultivars:
-
- Purple Knight
- Snow Queen
- Purple Knight
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Alternanthera
- Species:
- dentata
- Family:
- Amaranthaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- West Indies
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full Sun (Direct sunlight 8+ hours a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit type is technically a utricle, a type of achene.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Insignificant
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Flower's color are white to greenish.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Purple to burgandy leaves in a linear-lanceolate to ovate shape. Boldest color comes in full sun.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Similar plants:
- Aralia elata
-
Aralia elata 'Variegata'
-
Amaranthus tricolor
