Brazilian Red Hots

Brazilian Red Hots Care

Alternanthera dentata

What is the plant

The burning colors of Brazilian Red Hots bush won’t let you be indifferent. This perennial keeps its green foliage whole year round, ornamenting any garden as a ground cover or potted plant.

Brazilian Red Hots is a cultivar of Alternanthera dentata (also known as joyweed). It comes from South America and is spread in the Carrebeans too. Coming from the Amaranthaceae family, it has small white unnoticeable flowers and showy vibrant red leaves.

The bush grows 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) tall and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide. Its small height and medium-sized red with pink-potted leaves make it a great ground cover or landscaping bush.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

7°C - 17°C

Hardiness zone

9b - 11

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Pretty drought tolerant when established, young Brazilian Red Hots bush require watering once the soil is dry at the top. So, it may require roughly watering 1-3 times a week.
Pruning
Prune long shoots slightly in late spring and summer to keep the shrub compact and bushy.
Fertilizer
Apply a general-purpose balanced fertilizer every fortnight. Reduce the concentration and frequency in the fall until a total halt in the winter

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Brazilian Red Hots plant requires full to maintain vibrant colors. Nonetheless, it can put up with partial shade.
Soil
Well-drained soil is a must for growing the plant. Alternanthera dentata can adjust to any soil, but moist and rich in organic loam would be best.
Propagation
You can propagate Brazilian Red Hots by dividing a mature bush or cuttings, which is more effortful than some plants but definitely worth trying. You will need to take softwood cuttings, apply rooting hormone and keep them in a bright, warm, and humid place for several weeks.

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Temperature
The hot colors match the plant’s ability to withstand heat. It can easily survive 45-105˚F (7-40°C). But the room temperature would be the most comfortable.
Container
Brazilian Red Hots grows best in the ground, but young specimens are often left in pots until benight planting conditions. The main thing is that the pot must be a bit bigger than the root ball and have drainage holes.
Fun fact
The plant has several scientific synonyms, and dozens of common names, including metal weed, bloodleaf, parrot leaf, ruby leaf, joyweed, and similar-looking cultivars.