Upright Calico Plant Alternanthera dentata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- al-ter-NAN-ther-a den-TAY-ta
- Description
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Joseph's coat is a tropical perennial typically grown as an annual in the Amaranthaceae (buckwheat) family native to the West Indies and South America. Known for its bright colorful foliage that ranges from burgundy, white, pink, to chartreuse, or purple. The genus name comes from the Latin words alternans meaning alternating and anthera meaning anther. Alternate anthers in the genus are barren. Specific epithet dentata means toothed referring to the toothed leaves. The common name Joseph's coat is a biblical reference to Joephis many colored coat because of the striking leaves on this plant.
Plant in rich, consistently moist, and well-drained soil and this plant will reach 6 to 12 inches high. The best leaf color appears when in full sun. It has a spreaching habit so pinch stem ends to promote more compact growth. This plant is showy from spring until the first frost.
Excellent choice for containers on a patio, in the front of an annual border or bedding plants in a cottage garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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'Brazilian Red Hots'
- 'Little Ruby'
- Purple Knight
- Snow Queen
Bright red-pink variegated leaves - 'Little Ruby'
- 'Brazilian Red Hots', 'Little Ruby', Purple Knight, Snow Queen
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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'Brazilian Red Hots'
- 'Little Ruby'
- Purple Knight
- Snow Queen
Bright red-pink variegated leaves - 'Little Ruby'
- 'Brazilian Red Hots', 'Little Ruby', Purple Knight, Snow Queen
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Alternanthera
- Species:
- dentata
- Family:
- Amaranthaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- West Indies and Brazil
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight 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 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:
- Container
- Patio
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
