Alternanthera (also known as Joseph's Coat) is a sun-loving annual that is perfect for landscape use. These plants tolerate sun or shade, but they are most colorful in full sun. Alternanthera have a mounding, shrubby habit and grow to a height of 10in-14in. The shorter day length of spring and fall yield richer colors. Red and yellow varieties work well together because they are the same height.
To achieve best results with Joseph's Coat, use well-drained soil and plant in full sun. The amount of sunlight on the Alternanthera affects the color of the leaves. We recommend using a constant feed program of 200 ppm N. Maintain a pH between 5.5 - 5.8.
Your unrooted cuttings will arrive freshly cut. You will need to plant them immediately and begin a misting cycle to root the cuttings. This will leech the soil of nutrients, so during the propagation phase use a constant feed of 1/3 the normal recommended dosage of fertilizer until well rooted.
Pinching
Red is a mounding plant and will probably not require pinching. A light pinch might become necessary to shape the plant for your final needs.
Spacing
Joseph’s Coat can be grown pot tight in 1801s or 4 inch pots.
Height Control
While Alternanthera are responsive to plant growth regulators, you usually do not need them because the plants are not prone to stretch and get tall.
Pests
Whiteflies and possibly aphids are the biggest pest problems with Joseph’s Coat.
Disease
Red are not prone to many diseases, but watch for botrytis while the days are short. This grey rot is usually associated with wet or humid conditions. You can prevent botrytis by allowing the plant to dry out between waterings, allowing for good airflow in your greenhouse, and spacing to allow the sun to penetrate to the soil level. The most common chemicals used to treat botrytis are Medallion and Banrot. Use them as a drench according to each label’s instructions.
Planting Red Liners
We recommend planting 1 starter plant per 4 inch pot or 1801. Use a well-drained soil in your baskets and plant your starter plants deep, allowing the ellepot to be completely covered by the soil. Plant it directly in the middle of your pot.
Pinching is not required.
Unrooted Cuttings Cuttings vary in size between different plant families, but most can be described as tip cuttings (ivy are leaf-and-eye stem cuttings not tips) that stick nicely
in small plug trays such as the 105-plug tray we use (some varieties are better suited for a 50 cell tray, i.e. Angelwing Begonia, Bougainvillea, Setcrecea, etc.). Please do not order unrooted cuttings unless you are an experienced propagator with mist systems and proper temperature control.
Alternanthera Red Quick Reference Guide
4 Inch crop time
6-8 Weeks
Habit
Mounding
Height
10 inches
Light
Full Sun
Minimum Temp
60
Perennial Zone
10-11
Water Needs
Moderate
Patented Plant
No
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2,300
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2,300
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2,300
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2,300
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2,300
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2,300
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2,300
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2,300
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2,300
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2,300
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2,300
03-22-2027 (Week 12)
2,300
03-29-2027 (Week 13)
0
04-05-2027 (Week 14)
0
04-12-2027 (Week 15)
0
04-19-2027 (Week 16)
0
04-26-2027 (Week 17)
0
05-03-2027 (Week 18)
0
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06-07-2027 (Week 23)
0
Alternanthera (also known as Joseph's Coat) is a sun-loving annual that is perfect for landscape use. These plants tolerate sun or shade, but they are most colorful in full sun. Alternanthera have a mounding, shrubby habit and grow to a height of 10in-14in. The shorter day length of spring and fall yield richer colors. Red and yellow varieties work well together because they are the same height.
To achieve best results with Joseph's Coat, use well-drained soil and plant in full sun. The amount of sunlight on the Alternanthera affects the color of the leaves. We recommend using a constant feed program of 200 ppm N. Maintain a pH between 5.5 - 5.8.
Your unrooted cuttings will arrive freshly cut. You will need to plant them immediately and begin a misting cycle to root the cuttings. This will leech the soil of nutrients, so during the propagation phase use a constant feed of 1/3 the normal recommended dosage of fertilizer until well rooted.
Pinching
Red is a mounding plant and will probably not require pinching. A light pinch might become necessary to shape the plant for your final needs.
Spacing
Joseph’s Coat can be grown pot tight in 1801s or 4 inch pots.
Height Control
While Alternanthera are responsive to plant growth regulators, you usually do not need them because the plants are not prone to stretch and get tall.
Pests
Whiteflies and possibly aphids are the biggest pest problems with Joseph’s Coat.
Disease
Red are not prone to many diseases, but watch for botrytis while the days are short. This grey rot is usually associated with wet or humid conditions. You can prevent botrytis by allowing the plant to dry out between waterings, allowing for good airflow in your greenhouse, and spacing to allow the sun to penetrate to the soil level. The most common chemicals used to treat botrytis are Medallion and Banrot. Use them as a drench according to each label’s instructions.
Planting Red Liners
We recommend planting 1 starter plant per 4 inch pot or 1801. Use a well-drained soil in your baskets and plant your starter plants deep, allowing the ellepot to be completely covered by the soil. Plant it directly in the middle of your pot.
Pinching is not required.
Unrooted Cuttings Cuttings vary in size between different plant families, but most can be described as tip cuttings (ivy are leaf-and-eye stem cuttings not tips) that stick nicely
in small plug trays such as the 105-plug tray we use (some varieties are better suited for a 50 cell tray, i.e. Angelwing Begonia, Bougainvillea, Setcrecea, etc.). Please do not order unrooted cuttings unless you are an experienced propagator with mist systems and proper temperature control.
Alternanthera Red Quick Reference Guide
4 Inch crop time
6-8 Weeks
Habit
Mounding
Height
10 inches
Light
Full Sun
Minimum Temp
60
Perennial Zone
10-11
Water Needs
Moderate
Patented Plant
No
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