Bloodleaf Alternanthera ficoidea
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Bloodleaf:
- Phonetic Spelling
- al-ter-NAN-ther-a fy-KOY-dee-uh
- Description
-
Herbaceous evergreen perennial commonly grown as a houseplant or annual groundcover in the Ameranthaceae family. Needs bright light, average room temperatures, and moist organically rich well-drained soil to thrive. Brightly colored cultivars are popular, featuring green leaves blotched with yellow, orange, red, brown, copper or purple, sometimes with red veining. Pinch back stems for a more bushy habit. If planting outdoors as a groundcover, place plants 4"-9" apart. Plants can be overwintered indoors, tip cuttings can be taken, or they can be grown from seed. Colorful cultivars make for interesting backdrops in border or edge gardens placed among more common green-leaved plants.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant does not have any serious insect or disease problems. Leaves may bleach in the full sun during hot summers.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Border Garden, Upcycled
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Creme de Menthe'
White and green variegation - 'Red Carpet'
Red leaves
- 'Creme de Menthe'
- 'Creme de Menthe', 'Red Carpet'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Creme de Menthe'
White and green variegation - 'Red Carpet'
Red leaves
- 'Creme de Menthe'
- 'Creme de Menthe', 'Red Carpet'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Alternanthera
- Species:
- ficoidea
- Family:
- Ameranthaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico, South America
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10b, 10a, 11b, 11a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Insignificant
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are white, no petals, insignificant appear in axillary clusters from fall to winter.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are elliptic to broad ovate green leaves (1” long). There are many colorful cultivars with blotches of gold, orange, red-brown and purple, often with red veining. Brighter leaved varieties are often confused with coleus.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- English Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
