houseplant

Jacob's Coat

Acalypha wilkesiana

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Jacob's Coat (Acalypha wilkesiana) at Canadale Nurseries

Jacob's Coat foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  4 feet

Spread:  4 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Other Names:  Copperleaf, syn. Acalypha tricolor

Description:

Widely grown as an annual or houseplant in colder areas, this variety will grow up to 4 feet in one season; stunning multicolor leaves are impressive in the garden, or containers; overwinter indoors in a bright spot

Features & Attributes

Jacob's Coat's attractive serrated oval leaves emerge coppery-bronze, turning dark green in color with showy plum purple variegation and tinges of red throughout the year on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth.

This is a multi-stemmed evergreen houseplant with an upright spreading habit of growth. This plant can be pruned at any time to keep it looking its best.

Planting & Growing

When grown indoors, Jacob's Coat can be expected to grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years. This houseplant will do well in a location that gets either direct or indirect sunlight, although it will usually require a more brightly-lit environment than what artificial indoor lighting alone can provide. It prefers to grow in average to moist soil. The surface of the soil shouldn't be allowed to dry out completely, and so you should expect to water this plant once and possibly even twice each week. Be aware that your particular watering schedule may vary depending on its location in the room, the pot size, plant size and other conditions; if in doubt, ask one of our experts in the store for advice. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soil. Contact the store for specific recommendations on pre-mixed potting soil for this plant. Be warned that parts of this plant are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so special care should be exercised if growing it around children and pets.

There are many factors that will affect the ultimate height, spread and overall performance of a plant when grown indoors; among them, the size of the pot it's growing in, the amount of light it receives, watering frequency, the pruning regimen and repotting schedule. Use the information described here as a guideline only; individual performance can and will vary. Please contact the store to speak with one of our experts if you are interested in further details concerning recommendations on pot size, watering, pruning, repotting, etc.

-- THIS IS A HOUSEPLANT AND IS NOT MEANT TO SURVIVE THE WINTER OUTDOORS IN OUR CLIMATE --

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Accent  Massing  Container 
Applications
Foliage Color 
Ornamental Features