Joseph's Coat

Joseph's coat is grown for leaves that mix red, gold, lime and bronze, and the coloring runs deepest in full sun. It tolerates heat and modest soil, so avoid rich, wet beds that leave the foliage leggy and washed out.

Sun

Full sun

Water

Moderate; about 1 in/week

Spacing

10 in

First harvest

Foliage color holds all season; annual

Tips

• Barely cover the seed, sowing indoors 6-8 weeks before frost or directly once soil is warm, then thin to 8-12 inches.
• Provide at least six hours of direct sun; shade fades the leaf colors noticeably.
• Water when the top of the soil dries, and keep the roots out of beds that stay soggy.
• Pinch young plants once or twice for a bushy mound, and skip heavy nitrogen that bleaches the color.
• Remove flower spikes as they appear to keep the foliage showy and limit self-sowing.