Jacob's Coat Acalypha wilkesiana
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Acalypha godseffiana
- Acalypha tricolor
- Phonetic Spelling
- ack-a-LIE-fa wil-KEH-see-a-na
- Description
-
A fast-growing tropical evergreen shrub native to Fiji and neighboring South Pacific islands. It has 4 to 8-inch heart-shaped leaves that come in a variety of mottled color combinations of green, purple, yellow, orange, copper, crimson, pink, or white. The genus name Acalypha comes from the Greek name for nettles because of the nettle-like appearance of the leaves. The specific epithet references Charles Wilkes.
Requires consistently moist, well-drained soil or leaf drop will occur. Great accent in containers, most commonly grown as a houseplant or in a hanging basket or patio container that can be brought indoors over the winter. Separate male and female flowers appear on the same plant, male spikes long and hanging with female spikes short. Stems may be pinched to manage size, shape, and promote bushiness.
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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- 'Blackie'
- 'Bronze Pink'
- 'Margarita'
- 'Tricolor'
- 'Blackie'
- 'Blackie', 'Bronze Pink', 'Margarita', 'Tricolor'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blackie'
- 'Bronze Pink'
- 'Margarita'
- 'Tricolor'
- 'Blackie'
- 'Blackie', 'Bronze Pink', 'Margarita', 'Tricolor'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acalypha
- Species:
- wilkesiana
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Leaf Cutting
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Fiji and South Pacific Islands
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Houseplant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Capsule containing hard seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- 8-inch slender spikes of insignificant green or red flowers. Separate male and female flowers appear on the same plant. Male spikes are long and hang, female spikes are short.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Striking copper-green leaves splashed with a multitude of colors that vary between cultivars. The size ranges from 4"-8" long and usually heart-shaped with serrate margins.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Small Space
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
