Propagation: Alternanthera, Joseph's Coat cuttings, 1 by AmandaEsq

AmandaEsq wrote:
Hi there!

My impression of the Alternantheras is that the color patterns are not uniform and not predictable. The two darker varieties I am growing, "black knight' and 'red hots' do seem paler in less than full sun. Over the summer I transplanted my 'Party time' momma plant into a container in full sun. She actually paled and instead of that lush deep green the leaves were a yellowy-green. not much by way of new growth either.

They do not mind drier soils.

Here are some photos to illustrate about keeping them indoors and sun angle.

The 'Party time' is my 3 pot collection of the momma plant and rooted cuttings/small plants. Sitting in a west, northwest window receiving most of its light as reflected off the white house next door. Party time does not receive any direct light and the foliage is fine. I kept this plant near this same space last winter. My neighbor asked if I was trying to kill it, I'd forgotten to water, but it came back nicely. So my impression is that 'Party time' wants less light than the darker varieties.

The 'black knight' new growth is green and will deepen in purple hue with the more light it gets. It has done well for me in part sun or part shade. I have seen images of whole hedges of this plant as dark as it can be - and in full sun - it's striking.

The 'red hots' are purply pinky greeny with some yellowy swirls. I started these 3 small plants from cuttings. one kept getting dug up by varmints but the two larger plants each have a small flower forming at the terminal point. these plants don't flower/seed a lot - at least not the black knight or party time, so I'm impressed with this new variety.

Both the red hots and black knight are on shelves near an east facing window. They get passing light - full sun - for about an hour a day. I don't know if it impacts their coloration or is enough light to make a difference. It does, however, cause them to dry out very fast. As they are small rooted cuttings, I am very careful with the amount of direct light they get at this stage.

Them's my thoughts. Hope this helps.