James H. Schutte
Family
Amaranthaceae
Botanical Name
ALTERNANTHERA ficoidea
Plant Common Name
Thread Alternanthera
General Description
A native of Mexico and South America, joyweed is an evergreen tender perennial commonly grown for its colorful leaves as a bedding or container plant. Its fine to medium textured narrow, glossy leaves may be bright green, pink, bronze or burgundy-red, depending on the cultivar. Flowering occurs in fall and is insignificant. Two popular selections include 'Red Threads', which has fine, burgundy-red leaves, and the colorful variegated variety 'Party Time', which has leaves marked with green, cream and pink.
Joyweed prefers full to part sun and fertile soil with average drainage. It makes an eye-catching annual ground cover in beds and borders, and a plant for contrasting leaves and color in mixed containers.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
11 - 15
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2
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Plant Type
Tender Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
6"-12" / 15.2cm - 30.5cm (9)
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Width
6"-12" / 15.2cm - 30.5cm (12)
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Bloom Time
Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall
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Native To
Mexico, South America, Argentina, Brazil
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
White
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Purple, Lime Green, Dark Green, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Purple, Lime Green, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Dark Red, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Purple, Lime Green, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Dark Red, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Purple, Lime Green, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
Variegated
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bedding Plant, Container, Edging, Hanging Basket, Houseplant, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No