Acalypha hispida is an evergreen shrub that grows in tropical climates. It is named for the French word, Chenille, meaning caterpillar. This is due to its fuzzy red flowers that resemble a caterpillar. This plant grows best in full sunlight.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Acalypha hispida, the chenille plant, is a flowering shrub which belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae, the subfamily Acalyphinae, and the genus Acalypha. Acalypha is the fourth largest genus of the family Euphorbiaceae, and contains many plants native to Hawaii and Oceania.
Acalypha hispida is also known as Philippine medusa and red hot cat tail in English. It is cultivated as a house plant because of its attractiveness and brilliantly colored, furry flowers.
The Latin specific epithet hispida means “bristly”, referring to the pendant flowers which vaguely resemble brushes.
It can grow to be 5–12 feet (1.5–3.7 m) tall, and have a spread of 3–6 feet (0.91–1.83 m), with potted plants being the smallest in growth. The plant has become somewhat domesticated, due to the nature and color of its flowers. It can be grown from seeds as well as from cuttings. It can be kept either as an outdoor plant or as a houseplant.
The plant is dioecious, and therefore there are distinct male and female members of the species. The female plant bears pistillate flowers which are 0.7 millimeters long and range in color from purple to bright red, and grow in clusters along catkins that can grow up to fifty centimeters (19.5 inches) or more in length. This feature is the primary reason the plant bears the nickname “red-hot cat tail”. The pistillates will grow all year long as long as the temperatures are favorable. The leaves are large, oval and bright green to reddish copper.
When grown as a houseplant, it needs bright light but not direct sunlight, and requires high humidity and a temperature of at least 61 °F (16 °C). It should be grown in a loose potting soil, rich in organic matter and sand, and must be kept well-watered during the spring and summer. Watering should be reduced somewhat in fall and winter. It is typically propagated from cuttings.
II. Types of Chenille Plant
No matter what variety of chenille plant you favor, the female specimens will produce the charming catkins characteristic of the plant. Look for the following varieties:
- A rarely seen white variety of chenille plant, Acalypha hispida ‘Alba’ has white catkins and is also called white cattail.
- Acalypha hispida “White-Margined” produces creamy white catkins as well as white margins on mature green leaves.
- A dwarf form of chenille plant, Acalypha pendula grows only three to seven inches tall and is best grown in containers.
III. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Chenille plant grows best in full sun to partial shade but avoids planting it outdoors where it receives direct sun in the late afternoon. As a houseplant, grow it in a greenhouse or place it near a south-facing window where it will receive ample year-round light.
Temperature and Humidity
Chenille plant won’t deny its tropical origin and will pout in temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Watering
Keep your plant consistently moist as it establishes itself, and then maintain moderate moisture throughout the season. It’s a good idea to check the soil every two to three days and apply water before the soil dries out completely. While this plant likes soil damp to the touch, overwatering to the point of soaking might kill it.
Soil
Chenille plant grows in a range of soils, including sand, clay, and loam, but this plant isn’t suited to xeriscapes or seaside gardens because it’s only moderately drought-resistant and is not salt-tolerant. Chenille plant can adapt to soil pH values between 6.0 to 7.5.
Fertilizing
A fast-growing plant, chenille plant needs regular fertilizing to support its flowering and development. The standard every other week feeding that supports most showy annuals is not sufficient. Instead, feed chenille plant a half-strength balanced flower fertilizer every week for best results. If the plant starts to develop yellow leaves, supplement the fertilizer with a shovelful of manure tilled into the soil.
Planting Instructions
Pruning
Like many fast growers, chenille plant can become unwieldy and straggly as the summer progresses. In the fall, when the faded brown tassels begin to look unsightly, cut the plant back to 12 inches above the soil. Next year, you will be rewarded with double the flowers on a compact, multi-branched plant.
If you desire an upright specimen, train the plant into a standard form. To do so, first, trim all leaves and stems from the bottom two inches of your plant. Once a week, trim all the foliage growing on the lowest two inches of the plant until you have the stem length you desire. Support the trunk (the exposed stem) with a stake and small, soft ties. Over time, the stem will become tough and woody like a real trunk. You will need to continue to trim foliage away from the trunk weekly to prevent the plant from reverting back to its trailing form.
Propagation
Don’t try to grow chenille plant from a seed you’ve saved yourself. It won’t work. As a dioecious plant, each plant grows only male or female flowers, and the male flowers are unimpressive; only the female plants have the bright red catkins. Instead, buy nursery plants, or start in the spring with fresh cuttings from the previous season’s plants.
Here’s how to grow chenille plant from cuttings:
- Gather your pruning shears, rooting hormone, potting containers, and plant starting mix that contains potting soil and perlite.
- Place the potting mixture into your containers and water it until moist.
- Cut four- to six-inch stems from the softwood part of your chenille plant. Make sure each piece contains at least two leaves.
- Dip the bottom ends of the cuttings into the rooting hormone.
- Stick the ends of the cutting into the soil and move the pots to an indoor area out of direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist.
- Once the plant has taken root, you can continue to grow it in its pot or relocate it to an outdoor area in your garden.
Potting and Repotting
You can repot chenille plant in the spring when it has outgrown its container and before the leaves turn yellow. Make sure to always use high-quality potting soil and to increase the size of the pot. Use either a plastic pot or a glazed clay pot that will help retain moisture. Make sure the new pot has sufficient draining holes. Fill the bottom of the new container with a few inches of potting soil. Carefully turn the chenille plant upside down in its existing pot, keeping your hand at its base to loosen it from the pot. Fill in around the edges with additional soil. Water the plant and return it to its original location.
Overwintering
When grown outdoors, chenille plant needs a few months of dormancy. Clip the entire plant back in the fall, leaving about 12 inches of growth and spread a few inches of mulch around the plant.
Because the chenille plant is a tender perennial outside of zones 10 and 11, you need to overwinter it indoors as a houseplant. It needs as much light and humidity as possible during the winter. Potted plants also need to experience dormancy so reduce water and fertilizer during the winter months.
Once temperatures begin to warm above 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, water and relocate your plant outdoors again.
How to Encourage Bloom
Cold temperatures and lack of sunlight prevent blooming. If you’re growing chenille in a container, bring it indoors when nights dip below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep indoor plants away from drafts. Additionally, make sure to deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Spider mites like to make a meal of chenille plant, especially in July and August when conditions are dry or dusty. Mist the plant daily to create an inhospitable environment for these sucking pests. If whiteflies scatter during these misting sessions, use a hand vacuum to reduce the population of these disease-carrying insects.
This plant harbors no diseases of major concern.
Common Problems
Plant Death
Do not let this plant dry out because it thrives only in moist soil. Prolonged dry spells can lead to plant death, so routinely test the soil by pressing your finger into it to gauge moisture; then water, as needed.
Yellowing Leaves
Even though this plant likes to be moist, make sure the roots don’t sit in standing water or your plant’s leaves might turn yellow.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
The showy, drooping “tails” of red hot cat’s tail make it a popular shrub in tropical or subtropical gardens. Gardeners use it as an exotic, colorful accent to other plants or as an ornamental hedge plant. Its drooping nature also makes it perfect for use in hanging pots and baskets, either indoors or on patios.
- Medicinal uses
Roots, leaves and flowers are used for medical purposes.
