Acalypha hispida

[Laisla87]

Hi all

After almost a year of searching and travelling around the country, I have finally found the very old-fashioned Acalypha hispida for sale in a local wholesale nursery. I wanted to know if it is generally the same in culture and requirements as Acalypha wilkesiana. I have wilkesiana growing very well outside, and some of them are practically trees they are so large. However, I wanted to know if hispida is more cold sensitive or if there any special requirements it may need.

Thanks

[virtualpalm]

Both species are very common and have equal growth requirements and tolerances here in south Florida. I don't know about down under, though.

Jody

[fastfeat]

A. wilkesiana is easier to grow in SoCal (though it still loses most of its leaves in winter) than A. hispida (which I rarely see at all in CA). That said, if A. wilkesiana approaches tree-like proportions in Sydney, I don't anticipate you'll have any difficulties with A. hispida.

[Palms1984]

A. wilkesiana is easier to grow in SoCal (though it still loses most of its leaves in winter) than A. hispida (which I rarely see at all in CA). That said, if A. wilkesiana approaches tree-like proportions in Sydney, I don't anticipate you'll have any difficulties with A. hispida.

I've never seen A. wilkesiana loose its leaves here in San Diego. I have a huge one in my backyard which is still actively growing .

[SubTropicRay]

In my experience, Acalypha hispida is the most cold tender species in this genus. It reliably defoliates in the low 30's and is dead in the upper 20's. A. wilkesiana is naturalized in many parts of central Florida and repeatedly survives freezing weather. I've yet to see a "wild" A. hispida here.

Acalypha hispida

Acalypha wilkesiana

[Eric in Orlando]

I agree, A. hispida is much more tender than A. wilkesiana.