Acalypha hispida (Chenille Plant)

Acalypha hispida (Chenille Plant) is a striking, erect evergreen shrub noted for its unusual and eye-catching, long tassel-like racemes, up to 2 ft. (60 cm), of bright red to deep pink flowers. Free-flowering, the blossoms are produced sporadically throughout the year. They stand out against the foliage of large, medium green, ovate leaves, 6-8 in. long (15-20 cm). Wonderfully exotic, Chenille Plant features an upright, dense and bushy habit. Thriving in hot, humid summer climates, it makes a great accent, hedge or specimen in tropical or subtropical gardens. Vigorous and easy to grow, it can be grown in containers, hanging baskets, as a houseplant or seasonal annual elsewhere.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 4-6 ft. tall (120-180 cm) and 6-8 ft. wide (180-240 cm).
• Performs best in full sun to part shade, in fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. If grown indoors, plant in a loam-less potting compost in full or filtered light.
• Water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Water sparingly in winter, keeping barely moist.
• Deadhead the flower clusters before they fade completely to stimulate rebloom. Prune to produce more compact growth and more flowers.
• Generally disease free. Keep an eye our for glasshouse whitefly, glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and scale insects.
• Propagate by softwood cuttings in early spring or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer. Bottom heat will be required.
• Native to New Guinea, Malaysia.