| Botanical Name: | Alternanthera |
| Life Cycle: | annual or tender perennial |
| Planting Time: | spring or summer |
| Height: | 6" to over 1 foot |
| Exposure: | full sun to partial shade |
| Soil: | average soil |
| Hardiness: | zones 5-11 dependent on variety |
| Bloom Time: | spring to early frost |
| Flower: | white, inconspicuous |
| Foliage: | reds to purples to greens to yellows, can be blotchy or variegated |
| Propagation: | root cuttings 1 to 2 inches in length |
| Suggested Use: | beds, edging, borders, containers, and terrariums |
| Growing Hints: | Alternanthera make excellent fillers for container displays due to their compact growth. Space four inches apart for a carpet effect and pinch back occasionally to keep plants bushy. Pot plants and bring indoors as a house plant for winter. |
| Interesting Facts: | Alternanthera come in many varieties. Varieties commonly grown as annuals are also known as Calico Plant or Joseph's Coat. |
