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Copper Plant · Wiki
Botanical Name: Acalypha wilkesiana
Some common names for this plant are Copperleaf, Fire Dragon and Jacob's Coat. The copper-red foliage is the hallmark of the Copper plant; however, there are dozens of cultivars, such as:
• Varieties with leaves streaked, splashed and edged with pink, red, bronze, purple and green.
• Mooreana has deeply veined maroon leaves with serrated edges.
• Marginata features bronze leaves edged with red.
• Can Can is a popular variety splashed with dark pink and creamy white.
Those vibrant leaves can grow up to 5 in (13 cm) long, often with sawtoothed edges. Acalypha wilkesiana is a vigorous grower, you will have a large shrub before you know it; so it's a good idea to prune it back by half every spring. Pruning encourages growth of new stems and leaves.
Origin: Java and New Guinea
Height: Up to 6 ft (1.8 m) if not cut back
Light: Bright light is essential for good leaf color, take care to protect your plant from the hot midday sun; which may cause brown scorch marks on the leaves.
Water: Keep the soil evenly moist year-round, but take care not to over-water as Soggy soil will cause this plant to wilt. Be sure to use a pot with a drainage hole.
Humidity: Moderate to high (above 50%) humidity. You can use a cool-mist humidifier or pebble tray to raise the humidity.
Temperature: Average to warm 65-80°F (18-27°C), though the Copper plant will tolerate temps as low as 60°F (16°C).
Soil: Good-quality potting mix.
Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks spring through Fall with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted in half.
Propagation: Take 3 in (8 cm) stem tip cuttings in the early spring and pot them in equal parts coarse sand and peat moss. Use a heat mat to maintain a steady 75°F (24°C).
• Bright Light Put your plant where it'll get plenty of light, but take care to keep it out of the direct sun; filtered light from a South or West facing window will give it the light it needs.
• Prune You can keep your plant compact and full by pruning it back by half in the spring. Do not pinch off growing tips, though; this plant branches out naturally.
• Repot in the Spring Move the plant up one pot size when its roots fill the pot.
• Pests Check for mealy bugs and spider mites; if you see any signs of pests, isolate your plant and treat any infestation immediately.
Posted on September 12th, 2018 · Updated on September 2nd, 2020
Some common names for this plant are Copperleaf, Fire Dragon and Jacob's Coat. The copper-red foliage is the hallmark of the Copper plant; however, there are dozens of cultivars, such as:
• Varieties with leaves streaked, splashed and edged with pink, red, bronze, purple and green.
• Mooreana has deeply veined maroon leaves with serrated edges.
• Marginata features bronze leaves edged with red.
• Can Can is a popular variety splashed with dark pink and creamy white.
Those vibrant leaves can grow up to 5 in (13 cm) long, often with sawtoothed edges. Acalypha wilkesiana is a vigorous grower, you will have a large shrub before you know it; so it's a good idea to prune it back by half every spring. Pruning encourages growth of new stems and leaves.
Care Tips
Origin: Java and New Guinea
Height: Up to 6 ft (1.8 m) if not cut back
Light: Bright light is essential for good leaf color, take care to protect your plant from the hot midday sun; which may cause brown scorch marks on the leaves.
Water: Keep the soil evenly moist year-round, but take care not to over-water as Soggy soil will cause this plant to wilt. Be sure to use a pot with a drainage hole.
Humidity: Moderate to high (above 50%) humidity. You can use a cool-mist humidifier or pebble tray to raise the humidity.
Temperature: Average to warm 65-80°F (18-27°C), though the Copper plant will tolerate temps as low as 60°F (16°C).
Soil: Good-quality potting mix.
Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks spring through Fall with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted in half.
Propagation: Take 3 in (8 cm) stem tip cuttings in the early spring and pot them in equal parts coarse sand and peat moss. Use a heat mat to maintain a steady 75°F (24°C).
Troubleshooting
• Bright Light Put your plant where it'll get plenty of light, but take care to keep it out of the direct sun; filtered light from a South or West facing window will give it the light it needs.
• Prune You can keep your plant compact and full by pruning it back by half in the spring. Do not pinch off growing tips, though; this plant branches out naturally.
• Repot in the Spring Move the plant up one pot size when its roots fill the pot.
• Pests Check for mealy bugs and spider mites; if you see any signs of pests, isolate your plant and treat any infestation immediately.
Posted on September 12th, 2018 · Updated on September 2nd, 2020
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