Acalypha wilkesiana Copper leaf, Fijian fire-bush, Copperleaf, Fijan fire bush

Pacific islands, New Hebrides; 1 - 2m
Planting position: Full sun.
Wind-protected area.
Ideal for high summer rainfall regions.
80cm spacing between plants.
Ideal for subtropical areas.
Requires regular watering and compost-enriched, sandy loam soil.
(During first three years), prune hard, twice in spring. (After early years), shape pruning only.
Regular checking for mealy bug and red spider attacks.
Propagate from spring soft tip- or hardwood cuttings.

A popular species with red, pink and orange-mottled, heart-shaped foliage and insignificant flower-spikes appear in summer.
‘Cherry Chocolate’ (3m) with large, dark brown foliage, mottled with red.
‘Ivy’s Jungle Joy’ (2m) who’s large, green leaves are mottled bright red.
‘Java Yellow’ (1,5m) is striking with medium-sized, golden leaves.
‘Macrophylla’ with coppery-brown foliage.
‘Marginata’ with pink (or cream) edged, coppery-coloured leaves.
‘Pink Sport’ (2m) have coppery leaves that “bleed” with pinkish-tones.
‘Sunset Hue’ (1m) with its leaves splashed with pink, green and yellow.
‘Tropica’ (1 - 2m) has foliage in tones of red.