Why are my catkins turning brown?

This is often caused by low humidity or underwatering.

Can I grow this outdoors?

Yes, but only in frost free climates or as a seasonal container plant.

Plant guide

Chenille plant.

Acalypha hispida

Pronounced uh-KAL-ih-fuh HISS-pih-duh

Also known as Philippine-medusa, Red-Hot Cat's Tail, bristly copperleaf, chenilleplant, red-cattail, red-hot-cattail

The chenille plant is a tropical shrub famous for its long, fuzzy, red flower spikes that look just like fuzzy caterpillars. It loves warmth and humidity, making it a fantastic choice for a bright sunroom or a greenhouse. You will find it brings a unique, soft texture to any collection.

Another photo of Chenille plant — Photo by chrisdt (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tropical shrub
Light: Bright indirect light with some morning sun.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 5 to 10 feet tall
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Spring to autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the plant needs more light or is sitting in too much water. It thrives when you provide plenty of humidity and consistent warmth throughout the year.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems after flowering to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Repot in the spring when the roots begin to crowd the container.
Soil: Well draining peat based potting mix.
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 15 to 27°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active growing season.

Safety

People: All parts of the plant are considered toxic if ingested.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant away from small children as the foliage and flowers are toxic if eaten.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable airborne allergen risks.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause digestive distress if ingested.

How to identify it

Long drooping red fuzzy flower spikes
Broad heart shaped green leaves
Soft velvety texture on blooms
Shrubby growth habit

Height: 1.5 to 3m
Spread: 0.9 to 1.8m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: red, 10 to 50cm

Problems to watch for

Brown Leaf EdgesCommon
Leaf DropCommon
Spider MitesCommon
WhiteflyCommon
AphidsUncommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
MealybugsUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Bring containers indoors before temperatures drop below 15 degrees Celsius. Place in a bright location and reduce watering slightly while maintaining high humidity.
In containers: It grows well in containers, provided the pot is at least 30 centimeters wide to accommodate its root system.

Stem cuttings

1. Take a 10 centimeter cutting from a healthy, non flowering stem.
2. Remove the lower leaves.
3. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
4. Place in a moist, well draining potting mix.
5. Cover with a plastic bag to maintain high humidity until roots form.

Group this plant with other tropicals to create a microclimate that maintains higher ambient humidity.

Grows well with

Ferns · They share similar requirements for high humidity and indirect light.
Peace Lily · These plants thrive in the same warm, humid environment.

Similar species

Copperleaf · It is a close relative grown primarily for its colorful foliage.

Science

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Acalypha
Order: Malpighiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical regions of the Malay Archipelago and New Guinea.
Conservation: This plant is not currently listed as endangered or threatened.

It grows in the understory of tropical forests where it benefits from filtered light and high moisture.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: butterflies
Uses: ornamental houseplant, greenhouse specimen, tropical patio plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my catkins turning brown?: This is often caused by low humidity or underwatering.
Can I grow this outdoors?: Yes, but only in frost free climates or as a seasonal container plant.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Acalypha is derived from the Greek word for nettle, while hispida refers to the bristly, hairy texture of the flowers.

Good to know

The common name chenille plant comes from the French word for caterpillar.
It is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family.
The catkins can reach up to 20 inches in length.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your chenille plant growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.