Why are some plants red?
Plants protect themselves from the damaging effects of too much light, especially UV-light, by turning red. Another of the plants mechanism allows it to produce anti-oxidants. The red colour of flowers and berries is intended to attract insects and animals that facilitate pollination and the distribution of seeds.

What causes the colour red?
Plants can contain a number of substances that produce the colour red -anthocyans, carotenes and betalaines. Genetics determine which of these substances a plant can produce

Can a breeder create a red variety of any plant?
If a plant genus has a gene that can produce the colour red, it is not a great problem to crossbreed it into new varieties. If there is no such gene available the traditional methods of crossbreeding will fail.

How much sun can red plants tolerate?
Since red colouring is a mechanism to protect against too much light, red plants can basically tolerate more sun than green plants.

Which factors influence the red colour?
The volume of light is the main factor as this makes it easier to grow an intensely red plant in summer than in winter. Temperature appears to have little influence but a mineral deficiency will intensify red colouring.

Misty red – The red dyed non-woven fabric in the pot enhances the red of the Kalanchoe thyrsiflora (9639	Superbowl – Metal bowl with Peperomia caperata ‘Schumi Red’ (17196).

Colourful packaging – Blue felt and a green scarf around a Begonia Beleaf Inca Fire (24729).	Subtly countrified– Siderasis fuscata (19798) in a rustic wooden container.

Concrete lives– An attractive contrast between the rugged pot and the delicate Crassula marginalis (18120).

Tip: Well lit spot
A red plant will retain its colour best in a well lit spot. Whether or not a plant can tolerate direct sunlight depends on the variety. The relevant information can be found on the Tips for Care label. A plant that gets a lot of sun will loose more water through evaporation. Remember to water these plants regularly.