Amaranthaceae - Botanical Family

This small aromatic shrub, also known as Mexican Tea, is native to Central and South America. It is a member of the Chenopodiaceae family, and is a relative of the common weeds, lambs quarters and pigweed. The shrub grows to a height of 2-5 ft and has a hairy yellowish stem. The green leaves are oval and heart-shaped and have a distinctively pungent scent. It produces abundant small white flowers in summer and then tiny seeds, which are an important ethnomedical plant and spice.

Dysphania ambrosioides thrives in full sun and semi-shade. It requires regular water and moderate soil moisture. In hotter climates, it can appreciably benefit from a good mulch of organic material. It is hardy to USDA Zone 9-11 and it is possible to grow it in colder regions if it is planted in a pot and kept in a well-protected and warm position.

Even though this plant has many uses, it is wise to only use leaves sparingly for cooking due to its toxic properties. This plant has many traditional folklore uses, including as a medicinal plant, spice, and herbal tea. Growing a pot of Dysphania ambrosioides will not only add a fragrant scent to a garden but also provide a unique cultural background to your garden.

Very tiny purple globe amaranth blossoms on wiry sprawling stems are produced in winter, spring and fall.

Gomphrena sp is a plant native to Central Tropical America and belongs to the Amaranthaceae family. This delicate groundcover is low-growing, usually reaching a height of 2 feet. It usually flowers in shades of pink, white, off-white, blue, lavender, purple, red, crimson, vinous and yellow, orange. The blooms attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Gomphrena is a very easy to grow and maintain plant, requiring full sun and regular water. Once established, gomphrena is drought tolerant and only needs moderate watering. Generally, it grows well in zones 9-11 of the USDA Hardiness Zone.

If growing Gomphrena in cold areas and in pot, it's best to choose a sheltered spot that gets at least 4 or 5 hours of sunlight each day. It is also better to wait to plant after the last frost of the season to ensure the best results. During the growth season, the soil should be kept moist and even damp. Fertilization is required when planting the seeds and monthly thereafter during the warmer months with a balanced fertilizer. Once the blooms start to appear, deadheading is necessary to boost the flowering and prolong the blooms. In case the climate is too cold, the plant should be moved indoors before the cold weather arrives to prevent damage. It can be kept as a houseplant and brought back outdoors when the temperature outdoors is warm enough.

Evergreen shrub, up to 3 feet tall. Abundant water when actively growing, moderate the rest of the time. "Blood Leaf" bright purplish-red "Beet" or "Beefsteak" oval puckered leaves, with notched tips, on red-maroon stems forming dense bushes. Traditional window-sill plant, Iresine Herbstii Acuminata or "Painted Bloodleaf". Sharply pointed blood red leaves with carmine and liver-lilac veins and stems; an old favorite still much in demand. I.H. Aureo-Reticulata - "Chicken Gizzard Plant". Bright yellow-veined apple-green rounded leaves, with odd notched tips, accented by red-magenta petioles and stems. Old fashioned puckered foliage again popular among indoor gardeners.

The plant itself is a large shrub, forming bushes with several stems 5-10 feet tall that can reach up to 15 feet in warm climates. The plant loves full sun and semi-shade, but growth and flowering decrease in deep shade. The plant thrives in well-draining soil and requires regular watering during the growing season.

Pleuropetalum darwinii can be grown in USDA zones 9-11, although it may suffer from cold damage in areas with temperatures below freezing. For growing in colder regions, Pleuropetalum darwinii may be grown in a pot and moved indoors or in a greenhouse during winter. In these cases, the plant should be given lots of light and humidity. The plant should also be watered regularly and fertilized periodically to ensure that it continues to flower and produce the desired fruits.

Native to Australia, Ptilotus exaltatus is commonly known as the Pink Mulla Mulla and can comfortably thrive in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11. It is a small shrub, usually growing to between two and five feet tall. As with Ptilotus exaltatus plants, full sun and regular, moderate waterings are needed to achieve maximum results from this flowering plant.

For its bloom, Ptilotus exaltatus produces bright pink flowers, borne on the conical shaped spikes that rise above the foliage on tall stems. The flowers are fleeting, lasting three to four weeks only, but densely populate the plant with color when blooming. The most active flowering season for this member of the Amaranthaceae family tends to be during the spring months.

Due to its inability to tolerate cold temperatures, Ptilotus exaltatus grows best when cultivated in a pot and moved indoors when temperatures dip lower than 30 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to ensure the pot has good drainage, particularly in colder climates, as consistent moisture build-up can damage the plant's health. Before moving the plant indoors, the flower should be removed and if the temperature of the environment indoors exceeds 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the pot should also should be placed in partial shade to ensure the plant is provided with basic care, otherwise the plant growth may become stunted.

Apart from light, water and sheltered conditions, Ptilotus exaltatus has few special growing needs and can be treated like other low maintenance plants. After the flowers have faded, the plant may be trimmed to shape or to reduce its size and annual or bi-annual fertilizer to provide a boost of nutrients. Forceful pruning, however, must be avoided, as excessive removing of branches and leaves at once can be extremely damaging to the plant.

In conclusion, with the right environment, Ptilotus exaltatus requires very little in the way of maintenance and offers a pleasing display of bright pink flowers when in bloom. Discovered and named in Australia, this plant is easy to grow and can be quite hardy, withstanding deeply cold showers. Those who abide by the necessary care requirements can enjoy one of Australia natural beauties, grown in the comfort of their home.