Chenille Plant Acalypha poiretii
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Acalypha hispida
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
A tropical plant grown most commonly as a houseplant or in a hanging basket or patio container that can be brought indoors over the winter. The genus name Acalypha comes from the Greek name for nettles because of the nettle-like appearance of the leaves. This plant needs good air circulation and high humidity. It is tolerant of many soils but does not like wet feet. Male and female flowers appear on separate plants throughout the year. Prune plants down to 4 to 8 inches every spring to encourage new growth and increase the bloom. Deadhead any spent flowers.
Other Plant Problems: It has poor salt tolerance.
- Cultivars:
-
- Alba
- var. pendula
- Alba
- Tags:
- Cultivars:
-
- Alba
- var. pendula
- Alba
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acalypha
- Species:
- poiretii
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Australia, New Guiena, Asia
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 3 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- 20-inch long slender cat-tail like drooping spikes of flowers that are long lasting
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Acalypha poiretii is often confused with:
-
Urtica dioica
- Plants that fill a similar niche:
-
Allamanda cathartica
-
Acalypha wilkesiana
-
Dianthus chinensis
- Acalypha poiretii has some common insect problems:
- Twospotted Spider Mite
- Soft Scale Identification and Management on Ornamental Plants
- Mealybugs Found on Flowers and Foliage
