Does it need full sun?

It prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its best leaf color.

Plant guide

Calico Plant.

Alternanthera bettzickiana

Pronounced al-ter-NAN-ther-uh bet-zik-ee-AH-nuh

Also known as calico-plant

Alternanthera bettzickiana — Photo by Silvia Ten (CC BY) via gbif

The Calico Plant is a vibrant tropical perennial known for its striking, colorful foliage. It adds a splash of red, pink, or yellow to any garden or indoor space. You will love how its leaves brighten up a room.

Another photo of Calico Plant — Photo by Ong Jyh Seng (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tropical perennial
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 12 to 18 inches
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Rarely blooms in cultivation

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for wilting leaves, which often signal that the plant needs a drink. Provide plenty of bright light to maintain those beautiful leaf colors.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back the stems regularly to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Repot when the roots become crowded or the plant stops growing.
Soil: Well-draining, fertile potting mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 15 to 30°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 2 to 3 years in garden settings.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: There are no reports of significant human toxicity, but it is not intended for consumption.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep out of reach of small children to prevent accidental ingestion of plant material.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Variegated leaves in red, pink, and yellow
Compact and bushy growth habit
Opposite leaf arrangement on stems
Small, inconspicuous white flowers

Height: 0.15 to 0.3m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.4m
Leaves: red, yellow, green, pink, evergreen
Flowers: white, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

Root rot · Occurs when soil remains waterlogged for extended periods.
Aphids · Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Bring containers indoors before the first frost. Keep the plant in a warm, bright spot and reduce watering slightly during the winter months.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided the pot has good drainage and is at least 15 cm wide.

Stem Cuttings

1. Take a 10 cm cutting from a healthy stem.
2. Remove the lower leaves.
3. Place the cutting in a glass of water or moist potting mix.
4. Keep in bright, indirect light until roots appear.

Group this plant with others that prefer consistent moisture to simplify your watering routine.

Grows well with

Coleus · They share similar light and moisture requirements for a vibrant foliage display.
Impatiens · These plants thrive in the same shady, moist conditions.

Similar species

Joseph's Coat · It is a close relative with similar growth habits and colorful foliage.

Science

Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Alternanthera
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical South America
Conservation: This plant is not listed as threatened or endangered in its native range.

It grows as a low, spreading herb in moist, warm tropical forest understories.

Uses: bedding plant, container accent, border edging, foliage display

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: It prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its best leaf color.
How often should I water it?: Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy.

Where the name comes from

The name Alternanthera refers to the alternating stamens, while the species name honors the botanist Bettzick.

Good to know

It is commonly called the calico plant due to its multicolored leaves.
The genus name comes from the Latin alternans, referring to the alternate arrangement of the flowers.
It thrives in tropical climates and is often used as a colorful groundcover.

Keep your calico plant growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 28, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.