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Joseph's coat is a tropical annual that can be grown in Iowa from seed sown indoors in early spring, then transplanted outside in early summer when temperatures reach 70-75 degrees. The plant thrives in poor, well-drained soil, producing more vivid foliage in such conditions. Although the flowers are insignificant, the multicolored leaves are well worth the extra trouble of indoor planting. If you are looking for a plant that is easy to maintain once planted outside, Joseph's coat is a good candidate.

Please note that the Zones listed above are USDA Hardiness Zones and are only given as a rough indication of whether a plant will grow and thrive in your area. Temperature variations and unusual weather conditions can affect plant survival. To assist plant survival during the winter, you may wish to place mulch over the areas in question or plant the flowers in an area away from walls or cement. Additionally, digging up bulbs and roots to overwinter indoors may be preferrable to keeping them in the ground.