Wikimedia Commons
Amaranthaceae
Joseph's Coat Flower
Alternanthera ficoidea
Colorful unity and artistic expression.
- Family
- Amaranthaceae
- Genus
- Alternanthera
- Native to
- tropical Americas
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- tender perennial grown as annual
- Height
- 15–30 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun to part shade
- Soil
- moist, well-drained, fertile
- Water
- medium
- Hardiness
- 10–11 (annual elsewhere)
- Lifespan
- perennial in tropics; annual in temperate zones
Did you know
- Joseph's coat flower is the go-to plant for ornamental carpet bedding — Victorian gardeners used it to 'paint' elaborate designs in parks.
- The actual flowers are tiny white pom-poms hidden among the foliage — the colorful leaves are the real attraction.
- It can be clipped into precise shapes, making it popular for knot gardens and topiary-style edging.
- Some cultivars change color intensity with sun exposure — more sun produces deeper reds and purples.
- In Brazil it is called 'periquito' (parakeet) because of its multi-colored foliage.
Color meanings
Red
passionate artistry
Pink
playful creativity
Orange
warm vibrancy
Purple
regal flair
Green
natural canvas