Chenille Plant Acalypha poiretii
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Chenille Plant:
- Phonetic Spelling
- ak-uh-LY-fuh poy-RET-ee-eye
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Chenille Plant is a tropical annual plant native to Mexico, Central, and South America. In North Carolina, it is commonly grown as a houseplant in a hanging basket or in a 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. It has brightly colored dramatically long flowers that resemble the tail of a cat. This plant needs good air circulation and high humidity so it appreciates misting of the leaves occasionally. It is tolerant of many soils but does not like wet feet and it has a very poor tolerance for salt. Prune the plants down to 4 to 8 inches every spring to encourage new growth and increase the bloom and deadhead any spent flowers.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Alba'
White - var. pendula
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', var. pendula
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
White - var. pendula
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', var. pendula
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acalypha
- Species:
- poiretii
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- TX, Mexico, Central America, South America
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 3 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Houseplant
- Poisonous
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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:
- 10b, 10a, 11b, 11a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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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. Male and female flowers appear on separate plants throughout the year.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
