Most people grow it as an annual or keep it as a houseplant in a bright window.
The dark green leaves feature pink, orange, red, yellow, copper, or purple splotches.
Some are multiple colors dappled into one plant.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Joseph’s coat produces flowers, but the blooms are mini accents to an already vibrant plant.
Start growing these plants indoors in late winter and transplant them outdoors after the last frost date.
This tropical plant has a weedy growth habit, but isn’t invasive in the United States.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
It is pretty pest-resistant too.
Joseph’s coat is known for its bright foliage colors, but the eye-catching hues only shine infull sun.
Soil
Joseph’s coat loves rich, fertile soil.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Before adding Joseph’s coat to your garden, amend the soil with plenty oforganic matteror compost.
Water
Joseph’s coat needs a lot of water to stay happy.
Give it at least an inch per week.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Soggy soil can kill Joseph’s coat, and drought can too.
Keep soil moisture consistent to help you to avoid any problems.
Let the first inch of the soil dry out before watering to prevent overwatering.
These plants spring back quickly with a good drink.
Therefore, in zones 10 to 11, it can be kept outside year-round as a perennial.
However, these plants are annuals in most otherUSDA zones.
Joseph’s coat is native to humid areas.
This makes keeping a regular watering schedule very important.
In addition, adding alayer of mulchto your outside plants will help maintain the needed moisture in the soil.
Fertilizer
Joseph’s coat does not require much fertilizer if planted in rich soil.
Too much fertilizer can burn and kill the plant.
Fertilize in-ground plants every two months.
For plants in containers, every two or three weeks is best.
For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.
During the winter, you will want to withhold fertilizer.
This will allow the plant to rest during its naturally slow-growing season.
Types of Joseph’s Coat
The Alternanthera genus has hundreds of varieties.
They have a wide range of colors and sizes.
Some are green or gold, while others are deep maroon.
They complement plants known for their foliage, such as elephant ears, cannas, caladiums, and coleus.
Their colorful leaves also accentuate flowers like impatiens, lobelia, begonias, and petunias.
This is a perfect opportunity to use the trimmings to create more plants.
To propagate by stem cutting:
Division is used to make a large plant smaller.
You will divide the plant and its roots into smaller sections, transplanting them to grow separately.
Sow Joseph’s coat seeds indoors in late winter.
Place in a warm spot under bright light.
Space the plants about 6 inches apart.
Potting and Repotting Joseph’s Coat
Joseph’s coat grows wonderfully incontainers.
They make beautiful, vibrant hanging baskets that can be kept inside.
When choosing a pot, find one with ample drainage holes.
Soggy soil can quickly kill your plant, so good drainage is necessary.
Move it inside as temperatures drop; this plant will not survive cold winters outdoors.
Also, it can be susceptible to fungal and bacterial diseases like root rot and leaf spot disease.
To remedy this situation, gradually give it more water.
To remedy this problem, immediately stop watering.
Allow it to dry out.
Treat with a plant antifungal and replant it or put it in a sterilized container with fresh soil.
If most of the plant is rotting, including most of the stem, discard it.
Provide as much direct sun as possible for brightly colored foliage.
Joseph’s coat can tolerate a lot of direct sun.
The plant is low maintenance and thrives in well-draining soil in containers.
Joseph’s coat is primarily grown for its foliage.
The plant has clusters of small white blooms that attract bees and butterflies but are a relatively insignificant feature.
Joseph’s coat is often grown as an annual because it cannot survive freezing temperatures.
However, in USDA zones 10 and 11, it can live five years or longer.
Alternanthera sessilis (sessile joyweed).
CAB International Invasive Species Compendium.
