The Alternanthera dentata ‘Brazilian Red Hots’ is an ornamental plant valued for its striking, deep burgundy to hot pink foliage. This tropical perennial, a cultivar of the Joseph’s Coat family, is native to South America and thrives in warm, humid conditions. Gardeners use its vibrant color as a dramatic accent in borders, as a dense groundcover, or as a colorful spiller in container plantings. Its rapid growth and mounding habit make it a dependable choice for adding season-long, non-floral color to landscapes.
Optimal Conditions for Planting and Establishment
The intensity of the plant’s foliage color depends directly on the amount of light it receives. Full sun exposure, meaning at least four to six hours of direct sunlight daily, encourages the deepest, most vibrant pink and fuchsia pigmentation. While the plant can tolerate partial shade, insufficient light causes the color to fade, resulting in a greener or duller appearance. Selecting the sunniest possible location is the first step to achieving the desired “red hot” display.
A rich, fertile, and well-draining soil is required for healthy root development and sustained growth. Like many tropical plants, ‘Brazilian Red Hots’ dislikes waterlogged conditions, which quickly lead to root rot. Incorporating organic material, such as compost, before planting improves soil structure and moisture retention while ensuring adequate drainage. The plant prefers a soil pH that is slightly acidic to neutral.
As a tropical species, this Alternanthera thrives in consistently warm temperatures, ideally ranging between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It is sensitive to cold and frost tender; it will perish if exposed to temperatures near 45 degrees Fahrenheit or below. In colder climates, it is typically grown as a fast-growing annual planted after the danger of the last frost has passed.
When planting, space individual plants approximately 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for its mature, mounding spread. This spacing accommodates its potential size of up to three feet in height and two feet in width, creating a dense, continuous carpet of color. Initial deep watering immediately after planting helps settle the soil around the roots and aids in establishment.
Daily and Seasonal Maintenance
Consistent moisture is important for maintaining the health of the ‘Brazilian Red Hots’ plant. The soil should be kept uniformly moist, especially during establishment and periods of intense summer heat. Water when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch, ensuring the water deeply saturates the root zone without becoming soggy. Container-grown specimens require more frequent watering than those planted in the ground, often daily in hot weather due to faster evaporation.
The plant benefits from feeding to support its fast growth rate and lush foliage production. Applying a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once in the spring provides nutrients for the entire growing season. Alternatively, a water-soluble fertilizer can be applied monthly during the summer, but avoid over-fertilizing. Excessive nitrogen stimulates too much vegetative growth, which may cause the foliage color to lighten or become less intense.
Regular trimming is necessary to encourage a full, dense, and compact shape, preventing the stems from becoming sparse or “leggy.” Gardeners should practice “pinching,” which involves removing the soft growing tips of the stems, especially in late spring and again in late summer. This action forces the plant to branch out, resulting in a bushier appearance and a greater volume of colorful foliage.
Though the plant produces small, inconspicuous white flowers, these are often removed to keep the focus on the vibrant leaves. For plants treated as annuals in cold regions, no further preparation is needed as they will not survive the winter frost. Potted plants can be successfully overwintered indoors if moved to a bright location before temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Troubleshooting Pests and Propagation Methods
‘Brazilian Red Hots’ is generally a robust plant with few serious disease or insect issues. The most common problem is root rot, a direct consequence of poor drainage or overwatering, causing the roots to suffocate and decay. Ensuring the soil is well-aerated and allowing the top layer to dry slightly between waterings is the best preventative measure.
When grown indoors or in sheltered areas, the plant may occasionally become a target for common houseplant pests. Spider mites and aphids are the most likely insects to infest the tender foliage. These pests can be dislodged with a strong spray of water or treated with an application of insecticidal soap or neem oil.
The plant is readily propagated using softwood stem cuttings, which is the simplest and most reliable method. Cuttings should be taken in the spring or summer when the plant is actively growing. Select a healthy stem section, remove the leaves from the lower half, and place the cut end into either clean water or a moist, sterile potting mix. New roots typically form within a few weeks, allowing the new plant to be transplanted.