PlantFiles: Beefsteak Plant, Bloodleaf, Chicken Gizzard
Iresine herbstii

Bought as a potted plant in the fall. It's been kept in the shade of my screen room. It did well here over the winter, had numerous tiny white flowers. Now it is thinning out. I am in the process of transplanting to a dappled sun area, hoping it will thrive again.

I planted this last September from a small nursery pot and now, 6 months later, it is a 3' tall and wide bushy plant. It did fabulous over the winter months, we'll see how it handles the heat and humidity but so far it is an outstanding plant.

This plant grows very well in Holland. From may until august you can keep it outside. From september until april you have have to grow it indoor.

There is a very interesting website about Iresine.

http://www.iresineworld.tk

Love this plant here in Pittsburgh, PA. I've used it to good effect with Kong Coleus in a couple pots on my (primarily) shady front porch. It get's a little morning sun and thrives like you wouldn't believe. I have to start cutting it back in early July so as not to overwhelm the Coleus. Check it out in my pictures to the left.

Fabulous plant. I am more impressed with the one the dogs smashed because it grew back bushier, a very nice sprawling habit. The stems are smooth and and a beautiful shade of hot pink. I have grown in it dappled light and part sun. The leaves will fade to yellow if it gets harsh sun but it sort of appears verigated that way. It needs no special attention. I plan to dig it up and bring it inside to see what happens and plant more next year for extra color and interest.

We have had this plant in our garden for several years and trim it every once in a while just to keep it in shape.....we stick the trimmed parts in the ground and they will root in a short time. We do not give these plants any special care. The foliage is gorgeous among other plants, specially the contrast with black taro is stricking.

i live in houma la. and we love this plant it takes care of its self and even makes it thru our winters here . it is great to plant under low trees for more color to your yard and everybody will comment on how beautiful it looks...

I used Bloodleaf this summer in my Atlanta garden as an underplanting to Guara. The deep red of the Bloodleaf with the pale pink flowers and pale green stems of the Guara is lovely. Visitors always comment on how pretty the Bloodleaf is. The plant is extremely hardy; in fact, I find that it needs "grooming" almost weekly as it grows so fast. I will definitely use it again.

San Antonio,TX
I have grown this plant as an annual for 3 years trying them out in various locations. The ones used in hanging baskets were okay because as the plant grew and they toppled over they looked okay. The ones planted in the ground in pure shade have required constant staking due to any strong wind or rain, squirrels, and cats knocking them over into a sprawling mess. Obviously, they needed more light. The ones planted in containers have had to be moved as the sun position changes because the color fades if any direct sunlight hits them. The colors are fantastic, but I will not buy them again. I must be doing something wrong; however, I have tried every light condition, different soil types, different types of fertilizer, pruning, etc. The plants have never been anything but lanky and fragile. In addition, their heat tolerance is very low and they require frequent watering.
Added Note: As the weather cools, my plants look fantastic. I guess I need to pinch them back every once in a while to keep them from becoming lanky. I may try them again.

Iresine is a short lived and tender perennial grown primarily for it's striking foliage. Grow as you would a bedding annual and root stem cuttings to winter over indoors. It also is makes a colorful addition to container plantings.