Copperleaf is a fast-growing tropical evergreen shrub in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) native to Fiji and neighboring South Pacific islands. The genus name Acalypha comes from the Greek name for nettles because of the nettle-like appearance of the leaves. The specific epithet references Charles Wilkes. Requires consistently moist, well-drained soil or leaf drop will occur. The best leaf color occurs in full sun but it will tolerate light shade. Stems may be pinched to manage size, shape, and promote business. It can be brought indoors for winter but requires bright light and consistent moisture. Tip cuttings can be taken instead in fall to over winter. It has 4 to 8-inch heart-shaped leaves that come in a variety of mottled color combinations of green, purple, yellow, orange, copper, crimson, pink, or white. Separate male and female flowers appear on the same plant, male spikes long and hanging with female spikes short. Great accent in containers, most commonly grown as a houseplant or in a hanging basket or patio container. It can also be used in the ground as an annual. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: White flies, mealy bugs, spider mites and various caterpillars can occur. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Acalypha .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow; Green; Orange; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; Variegated; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Cordate; Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Prickly; Rough
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Striking copper-green leaves splashed with a multitude of colors that vary between cultivars. The size ranges from 4"-8" long and usually heart-shaped with serrate margins.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Red/Burgundy
Flower form
Insignificant; Spike
Flower size
> 6 inches
Flower detail
8-inch slender spikes of insignificant green or red flowers. Separate male and female flowers appear on the same plant. Male spikes are long and hang, female spikes are short.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Capsule containing hard seeds
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green; Red/Burgundy
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Fiji and South Pacific Islands
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Hanging Baskets; Houseplants; Patio; Small Space
Landscape theme
Asian Garden
Design feature
Accent; Specimen
Garden tags
#evergreen #houseplant #interiorscape #low maintenance #full sun tolerant #shrub #summer flowers #copper leaves #non-toxic for cats #non-toxic for horses #non-toxic for dogs #tropical feel #showy leaves #container plant #colorful leaves #white flowers #crimson leaves #perennial #annual #variegated #patio #red leaves
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Mealybugs Found on Flowers and Foliage; Twospotted Spider Mite; Whiteflies Found on Flowers and Foliage; Soft Scale Identification and Management on Ornamental Plants