{"product_id":"tricolor-alternanthera-alternanthera-ficoidea-tricolor","title":"Tricolor Alternanthera - Alternanthera ficoidea 'Tricolor'","description":"\u003cp\u003eTricolor Alternanthera (\u003cem\u003eAlternanthera ficoidea\u003c\/em\u003e 'Tricolor') is a dwarf evergreen groundcover that grows quickly to about 30cm tall and 30cm to 40cm wide. The foliage is a patchwork of pink, bronze, red and green, so a bed carries colour through the whole year. It thrives in warm, humid, frost free gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour in every season.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shades of pink, bronze, red and green mix on the same plant, so the planting never looks plain.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuick to fill.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is a fast, low grower, so gaps in a warm bed close up quickly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA natural low hedge.\u003c\/strong\u003e Clipped over regularly, it holds a neat edge as stepover hedging along borders.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLoves humidity.\u003c\/strong\u003e It thrives in humid conditions, so it suits tropical and subtropical gardens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUseful for contrast.\u003c\/strong\u003e The multi-coloured leaves make a backdrop for showier seasonal flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass planting and groundcover.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 30cm apart to cover a bed densely. At 30cm to 40cm wide per plant, the colours merge into one patterned carpet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLow borders and stepover hedging.\u003c\/strong\u003e Set a single row 30cm apart along a path, lawn edge or garden bed, and clip it to keep the line crisp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTropical gardens and colour contrast.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant it beside plain green or silver foliage so its warm tones stand out, or use it under taller plants that need a coloured skirt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Tricolor Alternanthera in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Alternantheras love warm, sheltered positions with morning or afternoon sun. Full sun is fine, but avoid places that are too exposed and dry. It needs a frost free garden and thrives in humidity, so it is at home in tropical and subtropical areas. In cooler climates, grow it as a seasonal planting or in pots under cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant in a free draining soil rich in organic matter. In pots, a potting mix rich in humus suits it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e It requires regular watering. Mulch and water well after planting, and do not let the bed dry out in summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Clip over to maintain a dense habit and vivid leaf colour. A light trim every so often keeps it compact and stops it going leggy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Tricolor Alternanthera as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tubes suit larger plantings, and you need roughly one for every 30cm of bed. Plants travel upright and compact. Unpack them promptly, plant into moist soil, mulch and water in well, and expect the colour to build as the plant fills out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/groundcover\"\u003eBrowse our groundcover plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/the-perfect-edging-plants-landscape-your-perfect-garden\"\u003eEdging plants for a tidy border\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/tropical-plants\"\u003eTropical plants for warm gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-subtropical-climates\"\u003ePlants for subtropical climates\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow does it differ from Red Threads?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed Threads has very slender burgundy leaves, while Tricolor carries a mix of pink, bronze, red and green. Both are low, frost tender alternantheras, and both clip well as stepover hedging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in a cool climate?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly as a seasonal planting or in pots that move under cover. It needs frost free conditions, and it grows best where the air is warm and humid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I keep the colour bright?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGive it sun, keep the water regular and clip it over to maintain a dense habit and vivid leaf colour. Leggy, shaded plants lose their contrast.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787164582207,"sku":"ALT-FIC-TRICOL-tube","price":11.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/tricolor-alternanthera-alternanthera-ficoidea-tricolor.jpg?v=1792149310","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/tricolor-alternanthera-alternanthera-ficoidea-tricolor","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}