Acalypha hispida 'Hispaniola'

RHS Plant Profile

Hispaniola cat's tail

RHS 2002

Synonyms

Acalypha hispida 'Hispaniola'
Acalypha chamaedrifolia
Acalypha hispaniolae pendula

Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants Shrubs

A compact, somewhat trailing shrub with neat, ovate dark green leaves, and crimson flower spikes 5 - 7cm in length, from spring to autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Acalypha can be evergreen shrubs or trees, or annuals, with simple leaves and catkin-like racemes of tiny flowers, brightly coloured in some species
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: W Indies

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass or indoors in a peat-free potting compost in full or filtered light. When in growth water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter, keeping barely moist. Can be grown outdoors in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in sun or part shade but only in warmer climes

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early spring or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer. Bottom heat will be required

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 9

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly, glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free