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The Green Calico Plant is a vibrant, tropical ornamental known for its colorful foliage and easy propagation. It's typically grown as an annual or houseplant in warm climates.
Here’s a detailed look at its characteristics and care:
🌿 Overview
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Scientific Name: Alternanthera ficoidea or Alternanthera bettzichiana
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Common Names: Green Calico Plant, Joseph’s Coat, Bloodleaf
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Type: Tropical perennial (often grown as an annual)
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Height: Typically 18–24 inches
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Foliage: Long, pointy leaves with green tones and splotches of red, yellow, or orange
☀️ Light & Temperature
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Light: Prefers bright, indirect sunlight; harsh direct sun can scorch leaves
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Temperature: Thrives in 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 29°C)
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Humidity: Needs high humidity (50%+) for vibrant foliage
🌱 Soil & Planting
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Soil Type: Well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.6)
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Spacing: 12–18 inches apart for airflow; 4 inches apart for a carpet effect
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Potting Mix: Peat moss and perlite blend is ideal
💧 Watering & Fertilizing
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Watering: Every 1–2 weeks or when top inch of soil is dry; avoid waterlogging
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Fertilizer: Balanced water-soluble fertilizer (e.g., NPK 20-20-20) every 4–6 weeks in growing season
✂️ Pruning & Propagation
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Pruning: Early spring to encourage bushier growth; remove dead or leggy parts
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Propagation: Easy via 1–2 inch stem cuttings; roots quickly in soil or water
🌸 Bloom & Seasonal Interest
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Flowers: Small, white, and inconspicuous
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Bloom Time: Fall to early winter, adding off-season garden interest
Alternanthera Green Calico Plant is a large genus of 200 species of bushy annuals and perennials that are grown mainly for their attractive colorful leaves, which are opposite, often toothed, and variable in size. Flowers are insignificant. Alternanthera are native to tropical and subtropical open forests in Central and South America.