Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Conservatory GreenhouseAnnual BiennialHerbaceous Perennial

Alternanthera dentata 'Purple Knight'

A vigorous, spreading upright tender evergreen perennial grown as an annual for the dark purple stems and foliage. Leaves are lance shaped and flowers are occasional, white and insignificant, in summer.

Synonyms
Alternanthera 'Purple Knight'
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Purple
Summer Purple White Purple
Autumn Purple Purple
Winter Purple Purple
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C
Botanical details
Family
Amaranthaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy, Spreading branched, Columnar upright
Genus

Alternathera are bushy annuals and perennials with colourful leaves and insignificant flowers

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Plant in light moist but well-drained fertile soil in sheltered sunny sites as an annual. Darkest leaf colour develops in full sun. Also grown under glass in light loam compost with plenty of light, water and regular feeding.

Propagation

Propagate by division, seed and stem tip cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
  • Garden edging
Pruning

Pinch out tips and clip back to keep bushy shape

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to fusarium wilt

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.