Red-hot cat’s tail (Acalypha hispida)

Red-hot cat’s tail (Acalypha hispida) is a conservatory or greenhouse grown type of plant that can grow 1.5m – 3m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide.

This plant has several common names including: red-hot cat’s tail or chenille plant.

This is a evergreen plant that takes 10-20 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: red-hot cat’s tail, chenille plant
Scientific name: Acalypha hispida
Plant type: Conservatory & Greenhouse, Shrubs
Habit: Bushy
Height: 1.5m – 3m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Planting type: Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit

Seasonal colors

How to plant Red-hot cat’s tail (Acalypha hispida) – Vinayaraj, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cultivation profiles – Growing Red-hot cat’s tail (Acalypha hispida) – Don McCulley, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons