The Brazilian species Alternanthera ficoidea, known as Joseph’s coat, calico leaf or parrotleaf, is a tropical perennial used to fill in the blanks in a floral tapestry. Rarely grown as individual plants but in crowds, they have foliage in many colors including green, red and yellow. ‘Red Threads’ has very narrow leaves that are ruby red in full light. In a container it will form a neat low mound. In flower beds, it is used as a filler between other annuals, contrasting nicely with chartreuse, orange or yellow flowers of a larger stature. With shallow root systems, they require even watering. They will grow in shade or sun. The tiny white flowers are insignificant.