If you want to add a unique addition to your garden, you might like a fast-growing showstopper like joyweed or Joseph’s coat. This plant comes in many different colors and sizes and its colorful foliage is the real star of the show. This plant is hardy in USDA zones 10 and 11 and only comes back annually as a perennial in the hottest parts of the United States. Most people grow it as an annual or keep it as a houseplant in a bright window.
The dark green leaves have pink, orange, red, yellow, copper or purple spots. Some are speckled with multiple colors in one plant. Joseph’s coat produces flowers, but the flowers are small accents of an already vibrant plant.
Start growing these plants indoors in late winter and transplant them outdoors after the last frost. They are easy to care for and grow by watering them during drought and fertilizing them monthly during the growing season in spring and summer. Some varieties of Joseph’s mantle make excellent ground covers, while others can grow up to three feet tall. This tropical plant has a weedy habit, but is not invasive in the United States.
Caring for Joseph’s mantle is a breeze, and it is easy to propagate. This plant is a low-maintenance species as long as it is grown in well-drained soil in full sunlight in a hotter climate. It is also fairly pest resistant.
These plants are native to hot, sunny climates, so they thrive in plenty of light. Joseph’s mantle is known for its bright foliage colors, but the striking hues only shine in full sun. These plants tolerate partial shade, but may lose some of their color and take on a leggy or lanky appearance.
The Joseph’s mantle loves rich, fertile soil. This not only gives the plant the nutrients it needs to stay healthy, but also allows for important drainage. Before planting Joseph’s Coat in your garden, amend the soil with plenty of organic matter or compost.
Joseph’s Coat needs plenty of water to stay healthy. Give it at least 1 inch per week. Waterlogged soil can destroy Joseph’s Coat, as can drought. Maintain consistent soil moisture to avoid problems. Allow the first 1 inch of soil to dry out before watering to avoid overwatering. If you forget to water, you may find that your Joseph’s Coat wilts quickly, but don’t panic. These plants will bounce back quickly if they are watered well.
During the winter, your Joseph’s Coat, whether outdoors or indoors, doesn’t need as much water as it does during the active growing months, so hold off and water your plant when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil is dry.
Because Joseph’s Coat is native to warm climates, it cannot survive sub-zero temperatures. Therefore, it can be grown outdoors as a perennial plant year-round in zones 10 to 11. However, in most other USDA zones, these plants are annuals.
Joseph’s Coat is native to moist areas, so watering regularly is very important. Additionally, a layer of mulch on your outdoor plants will help maintain the necessary moisture in the soil.
Joseph’s Coat does not require much fertilizer when planted in rich soil. Too much fertilizer can burn and kill the plant. However, in poor soil, your Joseph’s Coat will thrive well with liquid fertilizer such as fish emulsion during the summer months.
Fertilize plants in the ground every two months. For container plants, every two or three weeks is best. Follow the product label directions for the amount to use. You should avoid fertilizer during the winter. This allows the plant to remain dormant during its naturally slow growing season.
The genus Alternanthera has hundreds of varieties. They come in many colors and sizes. Some are green or gold, while others are deep maroon. Some make great ground covers and reach up to 12 inches tall, while others can grow up to 3 feet tall. Here are some popular varieties:
Alternanthera ‘Partytime’: Bold pink, green, and yellow leaves
Alternanthera ‘Gail’s Choice’: Grows up to 3 feet tall; has dark purple foliage
Alternanthera ‘Little Ruby’: Great ground cover; striking ruby and burgundy foliage
Plant Joseph’s Coat with species that are similarche water and sun requirements. They complement plants known for their foliage, such as elephant ears, cannas, caladiums, and coleus. Their colorful leaves also accentuate flowers such as jewelweed, lobelias, begonias, and petunias.
Your Joseph’s Mantle may need pruning in the summer to keep it from becoming leggy. This is a perfect opportunity to use the trimmings to grow more plants.
Propagating your Joseph’s Mantle is easy and can be done by cuttings or division in the spring or summer. If you don’t want to reduce the size of your original plant, propagating by cuttings is the way to go. How to Propagate Joseph’s Mantle:
Propagating by water is the easiest way to develop r. roots, but the stem can take root within a month if planted directly in soil. To propagate by stem cutting:
You will need a pair of garden shears or sterilized scissors to cut off at least one healthy 2-inch stem, and a clean glass or jar of water. Alternatively, you will need a small pot of moistened soil.
Remove the last leaves from the stem and dip the cut end in soil or water.
You will be able to see the roots in a clear glass of water within a few weeks. To check if the cutting in the soil is taking root, gently pull on it after a month. If the stem does not pull out easily, it has taken root.
Division is the process of making a large plant smaller. You divide the plant and its roots into smaller sections and transplant them to grow separately. To propagate by division:
You will need a spade, soil, and a new container or planting location for your divided plant.
Dig up the mother plant and its roots with the spade. Divide the plant into two or three parts using garden shears or scissors, leaving the roots intact as much as possible (a little root breakage is acceptable).
Transplant each divided section into a container of moistened soil or plant it in the garden with full sun exposure.
Although cuttings or division are the easiest way to propagate Joseph’s Coat, you can also grow it from seed. Sow Joseph’s Coat seeds indoors in late winter. Place them in a warm location with bright light. After they germinate, do not transplant them to a sunny location outdoors until the danger of frost has passed. Space the plants about 6 inches apart.
Joseph’s Coat grows beautifully in containers. It can be used to make beautiful, colorful hanging baskets that can be kept indoors. When choosing a pot, make sure it has enough drainage holes. Waterlogged soil can kill your plant quickly, so good drainage is necessary. If your plant outgrows its current pot, opt for the next size up and fill it with fresh potting soil before transplanting the plant to its new home.
Joseph’s Coat grows well in a pot; so keeping this plant in a container is an excellent option for those who live in areas with harsh winters. Bring it indoors when temperatures drop; this plant will not survive cold winters outdoors.
This plant is not usually threatened by insects or diseases, but like most other plants, it can fall victim to mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites. For severe infestations, apply a neem oil solution to the stems, leaves (including the undersides), and soil. It can also be susceptible to fungal and bacterial diseases such as root rot and leaf spot.
This plant is relatively easy to care for if it gets adequate sun and warm temperatures.
Leaves that look dehydrated are underwatered or are getting too much sun without enough water to regenerate quickly enough. To fix this, give the plant more water gradually.
Foliage that begins to dull or turn yellow, especially the lower leaves, can be a sign of overwatering or root rot. To fix this problem, stop watering immediately. Allow the plant to dry out.
If you notice dark spots on the bottom of the stem where it meets the soil, pull out the root ball and inspect it for rot. You may be able to save the plant from root rot by using sterilized shears and trimming off any brown or blackened parts of the roots. Treat the plant with a pesticide and replant it or place it in a sterilized container with fresh soil. If the plant is mostly rotted, including most of the stem, discard it.
Young Joseph’s Coat plants with dark green leaves are a sign that the plant is not getting enough sunlight. Place the plant in direct sunlight, but don’t give it too much light too quickly; the leaves could burn.
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