Texas Tech University

Copper Plant, Copperleaf, Jacob's Coat

Acalypha wilkesiana
Perennials

Often used as an annual in our region, copper plant is a source of showy foliage that reaches its most colorful in the Fall.

(Detailed plant information can be found at the bottom of the page.)
Acalypha wilkesiana

Acalypha wilkesiana Photo Gallery



Acalypha wilkesiana Plant Information

Classification  
   
Scientific Name: Acalypha wilkesiana
Common Name: copper plant

copperleaf

Jacob's coat
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Suggested Uses: perennial treated as an annual

beds & borders, container plantings
   
Characteristics  
   
Plant Form: upright
Height: 3 - 5 feet
Spread: 3 - 4 feet
Foliage: ornamental copper, red, and green mottled foliage

coarse-textured foliage
Flower: bloom is not the primary ornamental value

catkin-like flower spikes in green, pink, or red
Bloom Period: Summer - Fall
   
Environment  
   
Sun: full sun
Water: medium water requirement
Soil: well-drained and fertile soil
Heat Tolerance: high heat tolerance
USDA Zone: zones 9 - 11
Native Range: South Seas Islands
   
Care  
   
Maintenance: heavy fertility and water requirements

susceptible to late spring cold snaps

propagation by stem cuttings
Pests & Pathology: susceptible to root rot and mealy bugs
   
Additional Notes: color best in full sun and intensifies in the Fall

many cultivars with different colored foliage

TTU Plant Resources