Species Common Copperleaf
green foliage with yellow-green stems

Common Copperleaf

Acalypha rhomboidea

Also Known As - Common Three Seed Mercury,Rhombic Copperleaf,Rhombic Three-Seeded Mercury,Three-Seed Mercury
The Common Copperleaf (Acalypha rhomboidea) is a perennial herb with small oval-shaped leaves with carefully arranged copper-colored veins. It produces small fruits and white, yellow, pink or red flowers throughout the growing season. The bright colors on the foliage makes it a beautiful native of tropical areas, from Central America through South America and the Caribbean. The glossy leaves are especially attractive when you combine the red veins with yellow edges. It is used as an ornamental plant and can be grown as a houseplant as it is easy to maintain. It works well in tropical gardens as a filler plant adding color to landscape.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Stem Propagation,Layering Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

8

Flowers:

Green/Brown Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Soil:

Humus Enriched

Fruits:

green,yellow Fruits Ready In Summer

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water the Common Copperleaf regularly, and water deeply. This plant prefers evenly moist soil and does not tolerate overly dry or soggy soil. During regular growing conditions it is best to water the plant once every 5-7 days, ensuring that the soil does not dry out completely between watering. During periods of scorching hot temperatures or extra bright sunlight, it may require more frequent watering. If the leaves start to wilt or droop, it may need more frequent watering. The ideal soil environment for a Common Copperleaf is 1 that is well-drained but still maintains some moisture. If the soil dries too quickly, add organic matter like compost or peat moss to the soil.

sunlight

Common Copperleaf plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight throughout the day, but will tolerate partial shade conditions. However, in order to achieve optimal growth and flowering, they require a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight each day. For best results, ensure that the plant receives a minimum of 3 hours of direct sunlight in the morning and 1 hour in the late afternoon. It is best to rotate the plant regularly if it is in an area with direct sunlight, so that all the leaves can benefit from the light.

pruning

Common Copperleaf should be pruned in the early spring before new growth begins. An annual light pruning will help encourage bushy, full growth and keep the plant from becoming too leggy. Pruning should involve removing dead or damaged branches and any spindly or crowded growth. This will help keep the plant evenly structured and promote better airflow. When pruning a Common Cooperleaf, it is important to use clean, sharp pruning shears to ensure clean cuts and help minimize the risk of disease. Prune only up to 1-third of the total plant foliage at 1 time to avoid over-pruning.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Acalypha rhomboidea typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Common Copperleaf typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Starts Flowering

Common Copperleaf typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Acalypha rhomboidea typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map