Alternanthera Little Maroon - Alternanthera dentata 'Little Maroon'

Alternanthera dentata 'Little Maroon' PBR is a standout in the world of foliage plants. The small, lance-shaped leaves are a rich, deep maroon to burgundy colour that remains vibrant and consistent throughout the growing season, providing a bold splash of colour that few other low-growing plants can match. The foliage forms a dense, rounded, bushy mound that stays naturally compact at approximately 10cm tall by 40cm wide, making it one of the most useful and versatile groundcover and border edging plants available.

Unlike many colourful foliage plants that fade or become patchy over time, 'Little Maroon' holds its colour reliably through the warmer months, performing equally well in full sun and semi-shade. It is highly drought tolerant once established and requires minimal maintenance, simply trim lightly to keep it tidy and apply a slow-release fertiliser once a year.

Use it as a bold border edging, a striking groundcover under taller plants, a mass planting for large-scale colour impact, or a container feature on a courtyard or balcony. The deep maroon foliage pairs beautifully with lime-green, silver, and white-flowering plants for a sophisticated, high-contrast planting palette.

Key Features:

• Soil: Loam, sandy, or well-drained soils. Good drainage is preferred, particularly through Melbourne's wet winters. Adaptable to most soil types provided waterlogging is avoided. In heavy clay soils, improve drainage with gypsum or plant in a raised bed.
• Light: Full sun to semi-shade. Best deep maroon foliage colour and most compact, dense growth in full sun. Tolerates semi-shade well, retaining attractive colour in positions with morning sun and afternoon shade. Avoid deep shade which causes the foliage colour to fade toward green and the plant to become open and leggy.
• Watering: Water regularly during the first summer of establishment. Once established, 'Little Maroon' is highly drought tolerant and requires only occasional deep watering during Melbourne's extended dry periods. Avoid overwatering in Winter when the plant is less active. Good drainage is important year-round.
• Fertiliser: Apply a slow-release fertiliser for perennials or general garden use in Spring. A single annual application is sufficient. A light liquid feed every four to six weeks through the growing season can enhance foliage colour and vigour. Avoid over-fertilising with high nitrogen fertilisers as this can cause excessive leafy growth at the expense of the rich maroon colour.
• Maintenance: Low. Trim lightly as needed to maintain a tidy, compact shape and remove any untidy or leggy growth. The plant responds well to light trimming and quickly produces fresh, richly coloured new growth. Divide clumps every two to three years in Spring to maintain vigour and propagate new plants. Mulch well year-round. No significant pest or disease issues under normal Melbourne garden conditions.
• Flowering: Flowers in Spring, producing small, inconspicuous white flowers. The flowers are not a significant feature 'Little Maroon' is grown entirely for its exceptional deep maroon foliage, which provides consistent, vibrant colour throughout the growing season. Removing flower stems as they appear can help maintain the plant's compact, tidy appearance.

The key to maintaining the richest, deepest maroon foliage colour on 'Little Maroon' is maximum sun exposure and avoiding over-fertilising with high nitrogen products. In shadier positions or with excessive nitrogen, the foliage tends to shift toward a more muted green-maroon tone. For the most vivid colour display, position in full sun and use a balanced slow-release fertiliser rather than a high nitrogen formula. A light trim in early Spring removes any winter-tired growth and triggers a fresh flush of richly coloured new foliage just in time for the main growing season.

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