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ALTERNANTHERA ficoidea

Image of Alternanthera ficoidea

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

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    11 - 15

  • 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

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Purple, Lime Green, Dark Green, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Purple, Lime Green, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Dark Red, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Purple, Lime Green, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Dark Red, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green, Purple, Lime Green, Pink, Rose, Burgundy, Bronze

  • 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