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How to Grow Pink Shadow

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Pink Shadow

Alternanthera dentata 'Pink Shadow'

shrub

Pink Shadow is a stunning ornamental foliage plant prized for its deep burgundy to pink-tinged leaves that create dramatic color contrast in garden beds and containers. This tender perennial shrub features delicate, lance-shaped leaves with striking iridescent qualities that intensify in cooler temperatures and bright light. It's commonly grown as an annual in cooler climates and makes an excellent choice for tropical and subtropical gardens.

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Example Pink Shadow timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Pink Shadow

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Pink Shadow

    Around May 17

    ≈ 30 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (more sun intensifies leaf color)
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water when top inch of soil feels dry. Reduce watering in winter for container plants.
📏
Spacing: 12 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 30-45 days to display mature foliage color
🌱
Planting depth: Surface level for seeds; plant transplants at same depth as nursery pot

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
compost peat moss perlite

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 10b-11; grown as an annual or container plant in zones 3-10

10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Tiny plants with light green leaves emerging from seed; very delicate and slow-growing initially

Keep soil warm (70-75°F), maintain high humidity, provide bright indirect light, and avoid overwatering

2

Vegetative

4-6 weeks

Plants develop characteristic lance-shaped leaves; pink and burgundy coloring begins to emerge as plants establish

Provide full sun to encourage color development, pinch growing tips to encourage bushier growth, maintain consistent moisture

3

Mature Foliage

Several months to years

Full-sized plant with deeply colored burgundy-pink leaves displaying maximum color intensity; may reach 12-24 inches tall

Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer, prune to maintain shape, continue full sun exposure for best coloration

4

Flowering

Summer to fall

Produces small, inconspicuous white or pale pink flowers on spikes; flowers are secondary to foliage appeal

Deadheading not necessary; flowers add minimal ornamental value

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

ornamental grasses sweet potato vine impatiens coleus begonias salvia

Avoid planting near:

strong aggressive vines

Common Pests

  • Spray with water to dislodge, use insecticidal soap, increase humidity around plants

  • Yellow sticky traps, insecticidal soap, neem oil spray

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

  • Strong water spray, insecticidal soap, neem oil

Uses

🏠

Ornamental Border & Container Plant

Household

Pink Shadow is primarily grown for its striking foliage color, making it ideal for bedding, borders, containers, and mixed plantings to add dramatic color contrast and visual interest. [source]

🎨

Cut Foliage Arrangements

Craft

The colorful stems and leaves are excellent for fresh or dried floral arrangements, adding depth and unique color to bouquets and decorative displays. [source]

🏠

Tropical Garden Design

Household

Perfect for creating tropical and subtropical garden aesthetics, combining well with other bold-foliaged plants to create lush, colorful landscapes. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Garden Support

Wildlife

While grown primarily for foliage, the small flowers attract bees and other beneficial insects, providing supplemental nectar sources in ornamental gardens. [source]

Harvest Tips

Not harvested for produce. Prune stems as desired for arrangement or propagation; cuttings root readily in water or moist soil for plant propagation.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Pink Shadow's leaf color intensifies dramatically in cooler temperatures and responds to light intensity, becoming deeper pink and burgundy in full sun and cool conditions.
  • 🌱 This plant is a member of the Amaranthaceae family and is native to tropical regions of South America, thriving in warm, humid conditions.
  • 🌱 Pink Shadow is extremely easy to propagate from cuttings—stems root in water within 1-2 weeks, making it popular for sharing among gardeners and creating landscape fills.

Gardening Terms

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

Annual Deadhead Full Sun Perennial
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