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ALTERNANTHERA ficoidea 'Snowball'

Image of Alternanthera ficoidea 'Snowball'

James Burghardt

Family

Amaranthaceae

Botanical Name

ALTERNANTHERA ficoidea 'Snowball'

Plant Common Name

Snowball Alternanthera, Thread Alternanthera

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

The cultivar ‘Snowball’ is especially eye-catching Joseph’s Coat. The gray-green leaves have highly varied markings in white, ranging from streaks and broad blotches to half a leaf. Some leaves are entirely white or entirely green.

Joseph’s Coat is a low-growing tropical perennial valued for its bushy habit and glossy, colorful leaves. It is used in containers as a contrast or accent plant or grown in the garden during warm months as a groundcover or edging plant. The white flowers are small and not showy.

Joseph’s Coat will grow as a houseplant in good light. Outdoors it tolerates light shade and full sun and prefers organic rich soil with good drainage. It is native from Mexico to Argentina where it naturally inhabits open forests with ample precipitation.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    11 - 12

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2

  • Plant Type

    Tender Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    6"-12" / 15.2cm - 30.5cm (9)

  • Width

    6"-12" / 15.2cm - 30.5cm (12)

  • Bloom Time

    Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall

  • Native To

    Mexico, South America, Argentina, Brazil

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Cushion/Mound-forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Insignificant

  • Flower Color

    White

  • Fruit Color

    Tan

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    White, Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    White, Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    White, Gray Green, Dark Red

  • Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    White, Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Container, Edging, Hanging Basket, Houseplant, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No