Acalifas are one of many people’s favorite houseplants, and for good reason. They are hardy, visually appealing and come in a variety of forms, which means you can find a variety to suit any style you desire. Native to Asia, “acalypha” can be grown indoors year-round, where care should be taken to mimic their natural tropical environment.
Your biggest challenge, once you meet its basic requirements, will probably be the fast-growing nature of acalifa and its tendency for long tails. However, as long as you keep the plant well pruned, it will reward you with excellent color and interesting leaf shapes.
In general, tropical plants make excellent indoor specimens, since they cannot be grown outdoors in much of the country. Acalifas are attractive and relatively easy to care for, as long as you strive to maintain the humidity, light and heat levels that remind them of their native tropical environment. Take proper care of these warm-weather beauties and you’ll be rewarded with a showy (and eventually sprawling) houseplant that will add a boost of greenery and color to any corner of your home.
Next, let’s look at each of the key aspects of growing acaliphas as a houseplant:
- Light. Acaliphas plants are definitely bright light lovers. While they don’t necessarily like the harsh rays provided by full sun, they can tolerate it if acclimated. Indoors, look for a bright spot, such as an east-facing window, that receives plenty of diffused light throughout the day.
- Soil. Acaliphas are not particularly picky about soil conditions and can thrive in mixtures ranging from sand and loam to clay. The most important factor when it comes to soil choice is to select a fast-draining mix so that the plant will not waterlog. Also, the more organic your soil mix is, the faster (and fuller) your acalypha plant will grow. When it comes to the pH level of your soil, acalypha plants prefer alkaline or acidic mixes.
- Water. To keep your acalifa healthy and happy, give it a regular supply of water, even during the winter months. The plant’s roots and soil should never be allowed to dry out, so this could mean watering it at least once a week, if not more, depending on your home environment.
- Temperature and humidity. True to their tropical nature, acaliphyllous plants like to be kept in warm, humid conditions. It is important to keep your plant away from drafts or cold spots in your home; if possible, it should never be allowed to drop below 15 degrees Celsius. Beyond warm temperatures, acalifa plants also need plenty of humidity. Start by placing your plant in a typically humid room in your home, such as the kitchen or bathroom. From there, regularly mist your plant to maintain ambient humidity; you can also place the pot in a tray of pebbles with water to help increase the humidity under the plant. If you’re still struggling to maintain a humid enough environment for your acalifa plant, you can always invest in a small space humidifier to keep nearby.
- Fertilizer. Acalypha plants appreciate regular doses of fertilizer during their growing season. A liquid mix is best, but they will also thrive if fed with a controlled-release fertilizer. During the winter months, reduce feeding or stop altogether.
- Varieties of acalypha. There are several varieties of acalypha plants that make excellent houseplants.. The most popular, A. hispida (also known as chenille plant or sizzling cattail) is a popular trailing plant with bottlebrush-like red flowers that hang in tails. For interesting leaves, it’s hard to beat A. wildensiana (also known as copperleaf), which features large, crinkled leaves with interesting leaf margins. Several varieties are available, including A. wildensiana ‘Goldsefiana’, which has light green leaves edged with white.
- Propagation of acalifa. Acalypha plants are easily propagated from cuttings at the stem tip. For best results, make a cutting in the spring when new growth emerges on the plant. Dip the cut tip in a rooting hormone and plant the cuttings in seedling soil. Acalypha plants spread more easily with plenty of moisture, so place the pot in a plastic bag and keep it in a warm, bright place. When new growth emerges, you can remove the bag and move the plant to its more permanent location.
- Pots and transplants of acalypha. The type of acalypha plant you choose will determine your exact transplanting needs, but as a general rule, all acalypha plants can be considered fast-growing. However, they also tend toward long tails, which is the main reason for regular transplanting and pruning. In the early years, you may want to transplant your acalypha annually in the spring. To do this, increase one pot size each year. Once the plant has reached its ideal size (which may vary depending on your home and where you keep it), you can transplant it every other year or annually into a pot of the same size and prune the roots and trim the branches aggressively to maintain its shape and size. Most acalypha species can withstand fairly aggressive pruning (up to 25 percent of the plant’s total foliage) and still thrive.
- Common pests and diseases. Acalypha plants that are dry are more prone to leaf drop and pests, as well as general decline. The plant is more vulnerable to common household pests such as mealybugs and aphids, especially if the houseplants nearby houseplants are infected. If you notice a sign of infestation, isolate the problem plant immediately and treat it with a mild insecticide or horticultural oil such as neem oil.
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