Chenille Plant (Acalypha hispida)
[ak-ah-LY-fah HISS-pih-dah]

Evergreen Perennial (usually grown as an annual near you) Upright in the Euphorbiaceae Family
Long, fuzzy red catkins dangle from this tropical shrub like scarlet chenille cord all summer long. Grown here as a warm-season annual, it's a striking accent for baskets and borders — though the sap can irritate skin, so handle with care.

Acalypha hispida, the chenille plant, is a tropical evergreen shrub grown for its long, pendulous red catkins that resemble strands of red chenille yarn — inspiring both its common name and nicknames like "red-hot cat's tail." The plant is dioecious, with separate male and female individuals; only female plants produce the showy, fuzzy flower clusters prized in cultivation, which can dangle up to a foot or more in length on mature specimens.

Native to tropical Asia, it thrives outdoors only in USDA zones 10-11, so in the Chicago area it's grown as a warm-season annual or a container plant brought indoors before frost. Its broad, bristly, bright green leaves provide a lush backdrop for the flowers, which can bloom nearly continuously with enough warmth and light.

Pros

  • Long, fuzzy red catkins in near-continuous bloom through the warm season
  • Bold, tropical accent for containers, hanging baskets, and borders
  • Fast, easy from stem cuttings if you want to keep a favorite plant going
  • Attracts attention as a conversation-starting specimen plant

Cons

  • Not hardy in this climate — must be treated as an annual or overwintered indoors
  • Sap can irritate skin and mucous membranes; keep away from children and pets
  • Needs consistent warmth, moisture, and bright light to bloom well
This plant is probably not winter-hardy outdoors where you live.
Why Like In its native range across tropical Asia (Malesia and Papuasia), Acalypha hispida grows as a substantial evergreen shrub, its long red catkins offering an extended bloom season in warm, humid conditions. As a dioecious species, only female plants produce the ornamental flower clusters that give the plant its common names; male plants bear far less showy catkins and are rarely grown ornamentally. Its willingness to flower nearly year-round in the right climate, and its long history in tropical home gardens and greenhouses, make it a classic conservatory and container plant well beyond its native range.
Highlights A tropical shrub grown here as a warm-season annual for its long, fuzzy red catkins, blooming from spring through fall in bright light with consistent moisture — a bold accent for containers and borders, though the sap can irritate skin.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 6 - 12 inches tall. 12 - 18 inches wide.
Growth Rate Medium
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium : Prefers evenly moist soil and should not be allowed to dry out completely, especially in containers; needs good drainage and does not tolerate standing water.
Zones 10a - 11b (Usually hardy to 30° F)
Tags Annual in Chicago, Evergreen, Full Sun, Hanging Basket, House Plants, Medium, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Showy Flowers
Bloom Period March to October
Flower Color Red
 

Most Popular Plants

Commonly Planted with...

Other tropical, heat-loving annuals and container plants such as coleus, canna, and elephant ear, which share its need for warmth, consistent moisture, and bright light.

Photos of This with...

Cramer's Burgundy Cockscomb, Velvet Leaf Kalanchoe, Silver Shield Silver Spurflower, Sun Cherry Zinnia,
 
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 02/05 - 07/26
2024 : 02/08 - 07/06
2023 : 03/02 - 05/21

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!