Acalypha hispida
red-hot cat's tail
An erect evergreen shrub of open habit, to 2.5m in height, with large ovate leaves and pendulous fluffy red catkin-like flowerheads to 45cm in length, produced sporadically throuhout the year
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Red | Green | ||
| Winter | Red | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
- New Guinea, Malaya
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass or indoors in a loam-less 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
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly, glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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