Alternanthera bettzickiana
Alternanthera bettzickiana · Amaranthaceae
📷 Manuspanicker · CC0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around alternanthera bettzickiana and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Alternanthera, Windmill plant
- Foliage
- Evergreen, colorful (red, orange, yellow depending on varieties)
- Adult size
- 20 to 40 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Cold-sensitive, frost-tender (0°C)
- Origin
- South America (Brazil, Paraguay)
- Soil type
- Well-draining, light, fertile
Care
Regular watering
Water when the soil surface dries slightly, without letting the substrate dry out completely. Indoors, check moisture 2 to 3 times per week. Reduce watering in winter if you're growing it in a pot, but maintain slight humidity.
Light exposure
Place it in full sun or bright light to intensify foliage coloration. If it receives too much shade, its foliage loses its brilliance and growth slows down. It tolerates light partial shade, but the tints will be less spectacular.
Pinching and pruning
Pinch back young shoots regularly to encourage compact, bushy growth. Cut it back in spring if it becomes too leggy or bare at the base. These interventions stimulate branching and maintain attractive ornamental form.
Nutritional feeding
Fertilize lightly during active growing season (spring-summer) with balanced fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks. Excess nitrogen promotes foliage at the expense of color intensity. Reduce applications in fall and winter.
Substrate and drainage
Use a light, well-draining mix (potting soil, perlite, coarse sand) to prevent root rot. Alternanthera dislikes root asphyxiation; ensure water drains quickly. Refresh the substrate each spring when potted.
Health vigilance
Watch for spider mites and aphids, especially indoors with heating. Mist the foliage regularly to create ambient humidity and prevent infestations. Isolate any affected plant and treat naturally with insecticidal soap if necessary.
Did you know?
Alternanthera bettzickiana, called the 'Windmill plant' in English, owes its nickname to its little leaves that quiver in the slightest breeze. In South America, it's traditionally used in aquascaping, but also in colorful borders of tropical gardens where its brilliant hues rival certain coleus varieties. Its foliage changes in color intensity depending on sun exposure and temperature, making it particularly sought after by plant foliage collectors.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- SpinachSpinacia oleracea
- Strawberry bliteBlitum capitatum
- SaltbushAtriplex halimus
- Fat-henChenopodium album
- Atriplex prostrataAtriplex prostrata
- BeetBeta vulgaris
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.