Description
Plants grow into a rounded, shapely bush in most soils. They grow best in full sun. They are duller in shade. Can be grown in pots for decoration. Suitable for large hedges up to 2 to 2.5 meters
| Sr | Item name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Acalypha wilkesiana ceylon - Plant |
| 2 | 6 inch (15 cm) Grower Round Plastic Pot (Black) |
Acalypha wilkesiana is an evergreen shrub. It grows 3 m high and spreads 2 m across. The stem is erect with many branches. The branches have fine hai It has a closely arranged crown. The leaves are coppery green with red splashes of colour. This gives them a mottled appearance.
The leaves are large and broad with teeth around the edge. They can be 10,20 cm long and 15 cm wide. The leaves are finely hairy. They can be flat or crinkled. The flowers are reddish in spikes at the end of branches. They have separate male and female flowers on the same plant. The male flowers are in long spikes which hang downwards while the female flowers are in short spikes. They do not show up easily as they are often hidden among the leaves. The flower stalks are 10,20 cm long.Plant Specifications
| Common Name | Acalypha Red Twisted Leaves, Fire Dragon Regional name: Bengali - Muktajhuri, Gujarati - Dadano, Kannada - Kuppigida, Malayalam - Kuppaimeni, Marathi - Khajoti, Sanskrit - Harita-manjari, Tamil - Kuppaimeni, Telugu - Kuppichettu |
| Maximum Reachable Height | up to 2 to 2.5 meters |
| Flower Colour | Reddish-pink |
| Bloom Time | Seasonal bloomer |
| Difficulty Level | easy to grow |
Planting and care
Whether indoors or outdoors, growing copper leaf plants in a pot or a different container works well. If growing it in a container, the first step in the care of Acalypha wilkesiana is to ensure the pot is twice the size of the plant, s root ball.
Acalypha wilkesiana ceylon care
The most important thing in growing copper leaf plants is the location. The best place to grow the plant is in full sun, although it can survive in half sun or partially shaded areas. Direct sunlight, however, makes the leaves more brightly colored.
| Sunlight | The plant, often called copperleaf, does fine in partial shade or sun. It prefers a position sheltered from strong winds, and a fertile, organic soil. Indoor plants do well in medium light, but leaf colour develops best on plants kept in bright light. |
| Watering | medium |
| Soil | well-drained soil |
| Temperature | 16C (61F). |
| Fertilizer | Apply any organic fertilizer |
Acalypha wilkesiana ceylon special feature
Bedding plant, filler in borders or container plant.
Acalypha wilkesiana ceylon uses
Ornamental Use:
- Can be grown in pots for decoration
Medicinal Use:
- Acalypha wilkesiana ointment is used to treat fungal skin diseases
Culinary Use:
- leaves