How to Grow Copperleaf, Red-hot Cattail
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Copperleaf, Red-hot Cattail
Acalypha wilkesiana 'Obovata'
shrubA tropical ornamental shrub prized for its striking, obovate copper-red foliage with darker veining and metallic highlights. This cultivar of copperleaf produces vibrant, iridescent leaves that shift between copper, bronze, and burgundy tones depending on light and temperature. It's an excellent accent plant for warm-climate gardens and containers.
When should you plant Copperleaf, Red-hot Cattail in your zone?
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Example Copperleaf, Red-hot Cattail timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Copperleaf, Red-hot Cattail
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Copperleaf, Red-hot Cattail
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 10-11; grown as an annual or houseplant in cooler regions
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Establishment
3-4 weeksYoung plant develops initial root system and first true leaves emerge; foliage begins showing copper tones.
Keep soil warm (70-75°F), maintain high humidity, provide bright indirect light, avoid transplant shock by acclimating gradually.
Vegetative Growth
6-10 weeksPlant produces new obovate leaves in rapid succession; copper and bronze coloration intensifies; stems elongate and branch.
Pinch growing tips every 2-3 weeks to encourage bushier growth, fertilize bi-weekly with balanced fertilizer, maintain consistent moisture and warmth.
Foliage Maturation
4-8 weeksPlant reaches full height with dense, bushy canopy; leaf color peaks with rich copper-red iridescence; metallic sheen becomes pronounced.
Continue pinching to maintain shape, deadhead tiny inconspicuous flowers if desired, reduce fertilizer slightly, monitor for pests in warm conditions.
Maintenance/Maturity
OngoingFully developed shrub maintains vibrant foliage color year-round in warm climates; minimal new growth in cooler seasons or when day-length decreases.
Prune in early spring to maintain size and shape, fertilize monthly during growing season, reduce watering and feeding in dormant season, protect from cold.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap, mist foliage regularly, isolate heavily infested plants
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Remove with rubbing alcohol on cotton swabs, spray with neem oil, introduce natural predators like ladybugs
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Scrape off manually, treat with horticultural oil, apply insecticidal soap, prune heavily infested branches
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Spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap, use yellow sticky traps, ensure good air circulation
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Remove affected leaves, improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply copper fungicide if severe
Uses
Not for consumption
CulinaryAcalypha wilkesiana is ornamental only and should not be ingested. Some Acalypha species have traditional medicinal uses, but this cultivar is not recommended for internal use. [source]
Interior decoration and focal accent
HouseholdThe striking copper-red foliage makes this an exceptional houseplant and interior accent plant. It brightens spaces with dramatic color and can be displayed in containers or as a specimen plant in conservatories. [source]
Cut foliage for arrangements
CraftHarvest mature stems for use in fresh floral and foliage arrangements. The copper-red obovate leaves provide striking color contrast and texture in mixed displays. [source]
Butterfly and pollinator garden
WildlifeCopperleaf's inconspicuous flowers attract butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects, making it valuable in tropical pollinator gardens. [source]
Traditional herbal use (non-recommended)
MedicinalWhile some Acalypha species have ethnobotanical applications in tropical regions, A. wilkesiana 'Obovata' is primarily ornamental and not standardly used medicinally. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Copperleaf is ornamental; prune stems as desired for floral arrangements or to shape the plant. Cut stems with mature leaves show best color. Harvest in morning after dew dries. Wear gloves—plant sap may irritate skin in sensitive individuals. Cuttings root easily in water or moist soil for propagation.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The iridescent copper-red coloration is enhanced by cooler temperatures and high light; the leaves may fade to greener tones in deep shade or during dormant winter months.
- 🌱 Acalypha wilkesiana is native to New Guinea and the South Pacific and is sometimes called 'Matchstick Plant' or 'Copperleaf' due to its striking foliage resembling burnished copper.
- 🌱 The 'Obovata' cultivar's name refers to its distinctive obovate (egg-shaped with rounded apex) leaf form, which differs from other Acalypha wilkesiana cultivars with more lobed or linear leaves.
Gardening Terms
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