red-hot cat's tail

Also known as: chenille plant

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

Scientific classification

Species: red-hot cat's tail (Acalypha hispida)
Genus: Acalypha
Family: Euphorbiaceae

Information to be completed
Toxicity: Conservatory Greenhouse · Shrubs
Plant type: 1.5-2.5 metres
Height: 1-1.5 metres
Spread: Evergreen
Foliage: Bushy
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
Season of interest: Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

red-hot cat's tail pictures

Distribution of red-hot cat's tail

Distribution map

New Guinea, Malaya

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Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

Information to be completed

Quick identification of red-hot cat's tail

Information to be completed

red-hot cat's tail care guide

Maintain steadily moist soil, increase irrigation during hot dry spells
Watering: Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Maintain steadily moist soil, increase irrigation during hot dry spells

Fertilizing

Weak balanced liquid fertilizer fed biweekly through warm summer days

Pruning

Shorten flowered shoots to about 1.5–2.5 cm from the previous year's growth. If flowering is on last year's growth, prune after flowering; if on current-year growth, prune the following early to mid-spring.

Propagation

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

Growing

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

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