How to Grow and Care for Copperleafs

Copperleaf (Acalypha wilkesiana) is an evergreen shrub native to the Pacific Islands. Copperleaf is a popular outdoor plant used for ornamental cultivation due to its brightly colored leaves. It is particularly popular in Florida in the United States.

The common three-seeded mercury is considered a weed and has a wide distribution in the United States everywhere East of the Rocky Mountains. The name of this plant comes from Greek mythology and references the small bracts surrounding the flowers that resemble Mercury’s winged sandals.

Red hot cat's tail (Acalypha hispida) is an evergreen shrub that grows in tropical climates. Red hot cat's tail is named for the French word, Chenille, meaning caterpillar. This is due to its fuzzy red flowers that resemble a caterpillar. This plant grows best in full sunlight.

Hornbeam copperleaf (Acalypha persimilis) is summer annual that grows from 30 to 61 cm tall. It has large leaves and male and female flowers growing on the same bush. Cylindrical spikes with dense masses of tiny white flowers bloom from summer to fall. Female flowers are replaced by seed capsules that open when ripe and are dispersed by wind. This species prefers full sun to partial shade.

Virginia threeseed mercury (Acalypha virginica) is an herbaceous annual plant native to the eastern United States. Virginia threeseed mercury grows in woodlands and riverbank environments. This plant is considered an ecologically secure species, and is not endangered.