Alternanthera Ficoidea "Party Time" Care

Alternanthera ficoidea 'Party Time'

Overview

  • Vibrant pink and green foliage with spontaneous, splashy variegation
  • Fast-growing and easy to shape with regular pruning
  • Excellent as a color accent in bright interiors or seasonal containers
  • Best grown freeform—bushy, colorful, and unapologetically bold

Alternanthera 'Party Time' lives up to its name—this exuberant tropical plant is known for its unpredictable variegation, with hot pink streaks erupting through fresh green leaves. It’s fast, loud, and sculptable, thriving in warmth and bright light. At BoDurtha’s, we recommend it to customers who want instant impact and aren’t afraid of a little flair.

Origins

Native to the Americas and tropics worldwide, with this cultivar bred for ornamental variegation and compact growth habit.

Light Requirements

Requires bright, indirect light to maintain vivid pink variegation.

  • Low light may cause reversion to mostly green
  • Can tolerate brief direct morning sun, but avoid intense midday rays
  • Bright indoor window or shaded outdoor patio is ideal in summer

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

  • Likes consistent moisture, especially in warm months
  • Prone to wilting if overly dry, but bounces back quickly
  • Benefits from humidity but is not overly fussy indoors

Soil & Potting

Plant in a well-draining Aroid Mix enriched with organic matter.

  • Ensure even moisture while allowing airflow to roots
  • Great candidate for decorative pots or planters
  • Repot annually to refresh soil and support vigorous growth

Fertilizer

Feed every 2–4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

  • More frequent feeding encourages denser foliage and color vibrancy
  • Hold off on feeding during winter dormancy

Recommended Growth Style: Freeform

This plant is best grown bushy and wild, but responds beautifully to shaping.

  • Pinch tips to encourage fullness and keep compact
  • Can be trimmed into mounded or cascading shapes
  • Ideal for tabletops, window boxes, or entry displays

Final Notes

Alternanthera 'Party Time' is joyful, loud, and fast on its feet. It brings instant energy to quiet corners and pairs beautifully with neutral décor as a pop of living color. At BoDurtha’s, we think of it as a plant with personality—one that never plays it safe, and never asks you to either.

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