Alternanthera dentata (Joseph’s Coat)

Prized for its brightly colored foliage, Alternanthera dentata (Joseph’s Coat) is a tender evergreen perennial, often grown as an annual, boasting rich purple to burgundy leaves. Insignificant white flowers are produced in late fall to winter. Easy to grow and low maintenance, it is terrific as a bedding annual or planted in containers where it never fails to add drama. Bring indoors for winter beyond its hardiness range.

• Grows up to 1-3 ft. tall (30-90 cm) and 1-2 ft. wide (30-60 cm).
• Performs best in full sun or part shade in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. Best foliage colors are obtained in full sun.
• Perfect addition to beds and borders, city gardens, cottage gardens or containers.
• No serious pest or disease issues.
• Clip over to maintain compactness.
• Plants may be grown from seed by starting them indoors in late winter and transplanting them outdoors after last frost date. Divide in spring or take softwood cuttings in late summer, overwintering young plants in a warm greenhouse in early spring (cultivars may not come true) or by softwood cuttings in summer.
• Native to the West Indies and Brazil.