With stunning foliage, this short-lived tender perennial brightens up any garden or container with its burgundy red, hot pink, yellow or white leaves . A native of Central and northern South American, it grows 1-5′ tall and can be used as a bedding plant or houseplant and does well in a patio container. Other common names for the plant are beefsteak plant, blood leaf and Joseph’s coat. Two outstanding cultivars are available, ‘Brilliantissima’ with purplish-red leaves with pink veins, and ‘Aureoreticulata’ with green leaves with yellow veins. The small white flowers are inconspicuous and should be removed to promote the growth of foliage, the crowning glory of the plant. Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
Type: Tender herbaceous perennial
Size: 1-5′ H x 1-2′ W
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time:
Light: Full sun for best color but protect from afternoon sun.
Soil: Humusy, consistently moist, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 10-12
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Karen Meyers