Acalypha tricolor
Jacob's coat
A tropical, evergreen shrub grown as a house or conservatory plant. It has multi-coloured, variegated and mottled leaves in shades of green, white, yellow and pink. Long green or bronze flower catkins may sometimes be produced. In their native environment plants may reach 2m in height
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Pink White Yellow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Pink White Yellow | |||
| Autumn | Green Pink White Yellow | |||
| Winter | Green Pink White Yellow |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Acalypha can be evergreen shrubs or trees, or annuals, with simple leaves and catkin-like racemes of tiny flowers, brightly coloured in some species
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Pacific Islands
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass or indoors in peat-free potting compost in full or filtered light. When in growth water freely and apply a balanced liquid feed monthly. Water sparingly in winter, keeping barely moist. Plants can be moved to dappled shade on the patio during summer
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Houseplants
- Patio and container plants
- Bedding
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly, glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs and scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.