Light:

Full sun exposure (a southern window) is best.  They are high light plants that need direct sunlight for flowering and compact growth. If they don’t bloom the light level is inadequate.

Temperature:

Keep temperatures above 60 degrees when kept as an indoor container plant.  They prefer warm temperatures and high light, as they are rapid growers.

Humidity:

Preferably 50% or higher; however, they will tolerate low levels with no harm.

Watering:

Bring the soil to a state of visual dryness between watering. They use copious amounts of water so attention needs to be given to prevent a severe wilt. 

Fertilizer:

Fertilize with ½ tsp./gallon once a week.  If leaves become pale or older leaves turn yellow and fall excessively, increase fertilizer to twice a week until they green up. They are heavy feeders.

Pruning:

Repot once plant has completely filled the pot.  Acalyphas love to be pruned and respond well to hard pruning.  To culture specimens over the long term, it is necessary to prune up to 50-70% of growth.  Any time the growth gets straggly, cut it back hard.

Insects and Disease:

They are highly susceptible to spider mites. Whiteflies and aphids will also attack them.  Keep the plants away from other infected plants.  If they are kept outdoors in summer, check them carefully before bringing them back in, and give them a preventive spray.

Comments:

Acalyphas are fast growing plants that need high light and copious amounts of water and fertilizer. They can be grown as potted plants, standards or hanging baskets.  We often grow them in moss baskets.  They do need warm temperatures especially in the winter.