Alternanthera Little Ruby

🌿 Alternanthera ‘Little Ruby’

Plant Description

Alternanthera Little Ruby is a compact, low-growing ornamental plant valued for its deep ruby-red foliage and neat, spreading habit. It forms a dense mat of colour, making it an excellent choice for borders, mass plantings, groundcover, and pots.

This variety is fast growing in warm weather and provides strong year-round colour in Perth’s climate. Its rich foliage contrasts beautifully with green plants and works well in both modern and traditional garden designs.

🌟 Features

• Vibrant red to burgundy foliage
• Low growing and compact habit
• Ideal for borders and groundcover
• Suitable for pots and garden beds
• Fast growing in warm conditions
• Excellent colour contrast plant

🌱 Care & Growing Instructions (Perth Conditions)

☀️ Position

• Full sun to part shade
• Best foliage colour in full sun
• Sheltered from strong winds

🌿 Soil

• Well-drained soil preferred
• Tolerates most garden soils
• Improve sandy soils with compost

💧 Watering

• Water regularly while establishing
• Once established, moderately drought tolerant
• Avoid waterlogged conditions

✂️ Pruning & Maintenance

• Light pruning encourages dense growth
• Can be clipped to shape or edge borders
• Trim back in late winter or early spring

🌼 Feeding

• Apply general garden fertiliser in spring and summer
• Responds well to liquid feeds during active growth

❄️ Frost & Climate

• Performs best in warm climates
• In Perth, foliage colour remains strong most of the year
• Protect from heavy frost in colder areas

🌳 Landscaping & Garden Uses

Alternanthera Little Ruby is highly versatile and commonly used for:

• Garden borders and edging
• Mass plantings for colour impact
• Low groundcover in garden beds
• Feature contrast in mixed plantings
• Pots, planters, and raised beds
• Tropical and modern landscape designs

Its compact size makes it ideal for small gardens, courtyards, and commercial landscaping.

📏 Mature Size

• Height: approx. 20–30 cm
• Spread: approx. 30–40 cm