Product Description:
Acalypha plants are long-standing Household Favorite. Native to Asia, acalypha plants can be grown year-round indoors, where care should be taken to mimic their natural tropical environment. Acalypha’s fast-growing nature and tendency toward legginess. However, as long as you keep the plant well-trimmed, it will reward you with excellent color and interesting leaf forms.
Light:
Acalypha plants are definitely likes bright light. Indoors, look for a bright spot, like an east-facing window.
Soil:
This houseplant develops best sand and loam to clay with quick-draining so that the plant does not become waterlogged.
Water:
To keep your acalypha healthy and happy, give it a regular supply of water even during the winter months.
Temperature and Humidity:
True to their tropical nature, acalypha plants like to be kept in warm and humid conditions. It’s important to keep your plant away from any drafts or cold spots in your home—if at all possible, it should never be allowed to dip below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Acalypha plants need lots of humidity, too. Start by housing your plant in a typically humid room in your house, like the kitchen or bathroom. you can also place the pot on a tray of pebbles with water to help increase the humidity.
Fertilizer:
Acalypha plants need regular doses of fertilizer throughout their growing season. A liquid is best, but they’ll also thrive if fed with a controlled-release fertilizer.
Propagating Acalypha:
For best results, take a cutting in the spring, when new growth emerges on the plant. Dip the cut tip into a rooting hormone and plant the cuttings in seedling soil. Acalypha plants propagate most easily with high humidity, so enclose the pot in a plastic bag and keep it in a warm, bright spot. When new growth emerges, you can remove the bag and move the plant to its more permanent location.
Potting and Repotting Acalypha:
Acalypha plants can be considered fast-growing. However, they also tend toward legginess, which is the primary reason for regular repotting and pruning. In the first few years, you might want to repot your acalypha annually in the springtime.