Q.What Is A Plant That Looks Like But Is Not Kochia Scoparia?
I live in hot and humid Sarasota, Florida and love the color and size and shape of mature red kochia scoparia, but I don’t think it will flourish or turn red here as it is too wet and it doesn’t get that cold. Low fifties is typical. Forties are considered very cold and not common. We have a lot of bugs and scale and mold. Is there anything as colorful and showy, bug resistant and fairly short as kochia scoparia that would grow in my suburban yard n Sarasota? Looking forward to hearing from you!
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Kochia scoparia does not need the cold to turn red. It is an annual that reseeds. So you could plant it, but it is considered weedy and problematic when it reseeds.
Dwarf Nandina cultivars such as 'Firepower' and 'Blush Pink' also turn red and are about the same size.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/kochia/kochia-plant-info.htm
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/bassia-scoparia/
https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/nandina-domestica
