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How to Grow Forever Red

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Forever Red

Alternanthera dentata 'Forever Red'

shrub

Forever Red is a vibrant ornamental foliage plant prized for its deep burgundy to crimson leaves that maintain their rich color throughout the growing season. This tender perennial shrub is commonly grown as an annual in cooler climates and works beautifully in containers, borders, and tropical gardens. It produces small, inconspicuous flowers but is valued primarily for its striking, textured foliage.

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Example Forever Red timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Forever Red

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Forever Red

    Around May 17

    ≈ 30 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Forever Red dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (color intensifies with more light)
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water regularly during growing season, reducing frequency in cooler months
📏
Spacing: 12-18 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 30-45 days to full ornamental form
🌱
Planting depth: Surface sow or transplant seedlings at soil level

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost peat moss perlite for container growing

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 10-12; grown as an annual in zones 3-9

10b 11a 11b 12a 12b

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny plants with initial green foliage beginning to show hints of red coloration

Keep soil moist and provide bright indirect light; maintain warmth (70-75°F optimal)

2

Young Plant

3-4 weeks

Compact growth with developing burgundy leaves; plant reaching 6-12 inches tall

Transition to stronger light gradually; pinch tips to encourage bushiness

3

Vegetative Growth

6-8 weeks

Vigorous branching with fully colored deep red foliage; plant 12-24 inches tall

Maintain consistent moisture and feeding with balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks; deadhead flowers to promote leaf growth

4

Mature

Ongoing until frost or end of season

Full-sized plant with dense foliage displaying intense crimson coloring; small flower spikes appear

Continue regular watering and fertilizing; prune to maintain desired shape and density

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Caladium Coleus Persian Shield Sweet Potato Vine Dusty Miller Celosia Begonia

Avoid planting near:

Allelopathic plants (generally few concerns) Extremely dry-loving plants (Santolina, Verbascum)

Common Pests

  • Increase humidity with regular misting; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; ensure good air circulation

  • Yellow sticky traps; spray with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; remove heavily infested leaves

  • Remove with alcohol-soaked cotton swab; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly

  • Spray with strong water jet; use insecticidal soap or neem oil for heavy infestations

Uses

🎨

Floral Arrangements & Design

Craft

The vibrant burgundy foliage adds striking color contrast and texture to fresh and dried floral arrangements, tropical bouquets, and decorative displays. [source]

🏠

Container & Bedding Gardens

Household

Excellent for containers, hanging baskets, and garden beds where its bold color provides year-round visual impact in tropical and subtropical settings. [source]

🏠

Tropical Landscape Design

Household

Used as a colorful accent plant, border edging, or focal point in tropical and subtropical gardens, adding texture and depth to landscape compositions. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

While primarily grown for foliage, the small flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects, providing supplementary nectar sources in garden ecosystems. [source]

Harvest Tips

Forever Red is ornamental foliage, not harvested for food. Pinch or prune stems regularly (every 2-4 weeks) to maintain compact, bushy shape and intensify color. Remove flower spikes as they appear to redirect energy to foliage production. Cut foliage can be used in floral arrangements or as propagation material.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Forever Red maintains its intense burgundy coloration year-round in warm climates; the cooler the temperatures (while still above freezing), the darker and more deeply colored the leaves become
  • 🌱 This variety is a cultivar of Alternanthera dentata, native to South America, and is also known as Red Joyweed or Bloodleaf in the horticulture trade
  • 🌱 Unlike many colorful foliage plants that fade in shade, Forever Red's color actually intensifies significantly with full sun exposure, making it one of the most dependable red-leaved annuals for sunny locations

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Deadhead Full Sun Perennial
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