Iresine herbstii
Blood Leaf, Beefsteak Plant, Formosa Bloodleaf, Chicken-Gizzard
Commonly known as Blood Leaf, this is an herbacious perennial grown for its colourful foliage. The lush and glossy foliage is purple with dark pink veins. It typically grows to 80 cm tall and 70 cm wide when grown outdoors in a favourable environment. When grown as a potted plant it generally only reaches 30 cm tall and the same wide. This plant performs best when grown in full sun or partial shade on a well-drained, sheltered site. It must be protected from frosts and in frost prone areas it is often treated as an annual. This variety of Blood Leaf is commonly included in tropical gardens, added to mixed plantings, maintained in a container, grown indoors as a potted plant, planted around outdoor living areas, or included anywhere the beauty this plant affords can be enjoyed.
