Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf)

Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with deep magenta leaves and small white flower clusters close up.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dense magenta foliage and white flower spikes in a terracotta container.

Botanical name: Alternanthera sp.

Common name: Bloodleaf

Family: Amaranthaceae

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 9-11

Groundcover and low-growing 2ft plantPlant form: Groundcover or low-growing
Full sunSemi-shadeSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor; semi-shade
Cold toleranceCold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.
Watering: Regular. Let topsoil dry slightlyKeep soil wet: Bog or aquatic plantWatering: Regular; bog or aquatic
White, off-white flowersFlower color: White and off-white
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Ornamental foliageFoliage color: Ornamental foliage
Flood tolerant plantFlood tolerance: High

While some of the better-known species are aquatic plants, most are terrestrial. They take many forms, from prostrate to erect to floating.

The flowers of this plant are very insignificant, bearing small bracts on a single stalk. These are best cut off, to allow the plant to concentrate on it's foliage. An attractive border plant or groundcover. About 10cm high, 1m spread.

Although Alternanthera can usually only be found during the warmer months in nurseries, it can be grown all year round. Grows best in full sun and in good soil this plant will respond handsomely. Fertilizing should be done with a water soluble variety so as not to burn the foliage. Can be clipped occasionally to form a neat low edging.

Propagation can be done by dividing larger plants during the cooler months of the year.

Similar plants: Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf)


Image gallery: 39 images
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with green pointed leaves and thin maroon stems close up.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) stems and narrow green pointed leaves growing in a clump.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dark purple and lime green leaves, a dense plant growth.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) contrasting deep purple foliage beside vibrant lime green leaves in thick patches.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) dark purple and magenta leaves on the plant close up.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dense foliage in deep purple and magenta shades.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) plant with pink and yellow leaves close up view
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dense foliage in vibrant shades of pink and yellow green
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dark purple and red leaves in a dense bushy plant
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with thick clusters of pointed, narrow leaves in deep purple and red
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with deep purple foliage and a small white flower close up.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with glossy dark purple leaves and a tiny white flower on top.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) dark maroon leaves on a dense foliage plant close up
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dense dark maroon leaves covering the entire plant stems
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with mix of olive green and bronze leaves close up
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dense foliage in blend of bronze and olive green tones
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) plant with dense red and yellow leaves during a close up
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dense foliage in various shades of red and yellow colors
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with white flowers and dark purple leaves in a close up.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with white flowers and dark purple foliage.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dark purple leaves and white flower buds close up
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with purple foliage and rounded white flowers attached to the stems.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dark maroon leaves and small white flower clusters close up.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) close up with distinct maroon leaves and small white flower clusters.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) yellow leaves and small flower clusters in a close up view.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with narrow yellow leaves and small round flower heads growing in clusters.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) yellow green leaves and small white flower clusters close up.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with yellow green leaves and small white flower clusters in the foliage.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with variegated cream green leaves and golden flower heads close up.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with textured cream and green foliage and small rounded flower heads.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with white and green leaves and tan flower clusters close up
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) showing small tan flower clusters nestled among variegated green and white leaves.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) dark purple and pink leaves, close up of twisted foliage structure.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) twisted leaves with deep purple and light pink tones alongside small flowers.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with white flower and variegated green leaves in a close up.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) showing clusters of white flower heads among variegated green and white foliage.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dark purple leaves, a small compact plant for containers
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with deep purple leaves and small clusters of white tiny flowers
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) yellow and green leaves plant, close up.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dense foliage and small white clusters.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) plant with vibrant pink and deep olive pointed leaves close up.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) leaves with unique pink and olive color combinations on pointed foliage.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with pointed pink and purple leaves as a close up plant
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) showing pink and deep purple pointed leaves with textured surfaces in sunlight.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) plant with red and purple oval leaves in a container.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dense red and purple oval foliage growing in a brown pot.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dark purple and pink leaves, a dense bushy plant.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with pointed foliage in shades of deep purple, pink, and white flowers.
Alternanthera sp. leaves with magenta color in a dense group of plant pots
Alternanthera sp. leaves packed together in black plastic nursery pots for sale.
Alternanthera sp. magenta leaves close up with dark purple tones in the foliage
Alternanthera sp. leaves with vibrant magenta color and deep purple shaded areas
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) plant with pink and green variegated pointed leaves in a pot.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) showing pink and green foliage arranged in a small container.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with intense magenta and dark purple leaves, a close up plant.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dense, overlapping leaves in contrasting shades of deep purple and magenta.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with green yellow leaves and tiny white flowers on plant
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) foliage showing green yellow leaves mixed with tiny white flower clusters
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) dark purple leaves with small white flowers in a close up
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with deep purple leaves and small white flower clusters on thin stems
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dark purple leaves and tiny white flowers close up.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dark purple foliage and small white flower clusters.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with yellow green leaves and white small flower close up
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with yellow green leaves and tiny white flower clusters visible
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) plant with narrow dark purple and pink leaves close up
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) displaying narrow foliage colored with purple and pink tones.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) plant with dark purple and pink leaves in a close up
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) showing dense foliage with deep purple tones and pinkish leaf edges
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with magenta leaves and a white flower, close up shot.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with pointed magenta leaves surrounding a small, globe shaped white flower.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with pointed red leaves in a close up plant photo.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with distinct, sharp, oval leaves colored in shades of dark red.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with white and green leaves, close up on small yellow flowers.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with variegated white and green leaves and rounded yellow flower clusters.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dark purple leaves, a close up of the dense plant.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) showing wet, dark purple, oval leaves spreading across a low, dense canopy.
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) with dark purple leaves in a close up plant photo
Alternanthera sp. (Bloodleaf) showing deep purple foliage with water droplets on the surface after rain


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/alternanthera_sp.htm
About Tropical Plant Encyclopedia · Pictogram Guide·