Alternanthera

A. ficoidea is a tender, aquatic perennial and is commonly known as Alligator Weed and Parrot Leaf. This dwarf plant only grows 2 inches high. Its narrowly oval, green leaves have wavy edges and are variegated with red, orange and yellow. Its variety, versicolor, grows a foot high and wide. Its rounded to spoon-shaped leaves are tinged with yellow, red and brown.

POTTING

Plant them in gallon containers and grow in very wet soil or very shallow water. They should be brought into a greenhouse during the winter and provided with strong light.

PROPAGATION

They may be divided in the spring or tip cuttings may be taken.

VARIETIES

• A. ficoidea & var. versicolor;
• A. rosefolia (mostly red foliage);
• A. bettzickiana (green foliage);
• A. sessilis (bronze foliage);
• A. variegata (variegated foliage).