Japanese name: アルテルナンテラ Scientific name:Alternanthera
[Overview]
A perennial or shrub.
The leaves are simple and opposite, with entire margins, and are colored in various colors or variegated.
The flowers are borne in dense clusters in the leaf axils and have no petals.
The fruit is a utricle.
[Uses]
Many have beautiful leaf color, so they are cultivated as foliage plants.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from bud cuttings, by division, or from seed.
In a sunny, well-drained place it is not particular about soil, tolerates heat and humidity well, and is easy to grow.
In shade the leaf color is poor.
It also has weak cold tolerance; growth stops below 10°C, and it is very sensitive to frost.
A temperature of 5°C or higher is needed for overwintering.
Plants in the garden need almost no watering.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
Plants in the garden need no particular fertilizing.
For potted plants, from early summer to autumn apply fertilizer placed on the soil once a month, or liquid fertilizer once a week.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
