Joseph's Coat Plant Care

Joseph's Coat (Alternanthera ficoidea) belongs to the Amaranthaceae family within the Alternanthera genus. Joseph's Coat is native to the Caribbean and South America and occurs else. Joseph's Coat is also known as Calico Plant, Parrot Leaf, Happy Little Plants.

Joseph's Coat displays a low, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Joseph's Coat produces small, insignificant flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Joseph's Coat every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Joseph's Coat thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Alternanthera ficoidea tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Joseph's Coat prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Joseph's Coat to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Joseph's Coat every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Joseph's Coat is suited to USDA Zone 9a – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Joseph's Coat can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Joseph's Coat while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Joseph's Coat is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Joseph's Coat can be propagated through stem cuttings, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to brazilian joyweed plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Joseph's Coat is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Joseph's Coat grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Joseph's Coat is native to the Caribbean and South America and occurs else. In cooler regions, grow Joseph's Coat as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.