Acalypha pendula 'Mini Red' (Cat's tail 'Mini Red')

Botanical name

Acalypha pendula 'Mini Red'

Other names

Cat's tail 'Mini Red', Acalypha Cats Tail, Chenille firetail, Dwarf chenille

Genus

Acalypha Acalypha

Variety or Cultivar

'Mini Red' _ 'Mini Red' is a tender, compact, weeping, evergreen shrub with exotic, fluffy, brilliant red, pendulous cat tail flowers. Makes an ideal hanging basket or accent in a container garden.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Weeping

Toxicity

All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.

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Colour

Flower

Red in All seasons

Foliage

Green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Glasshouse red spider mite , Glasshouse whitefly , Mealybugs

Specific diseases

Downy mildew , Powdery mildew , Rust

General care

Pruning

Pinch off flowers as soon as they start to fade. This will encourage many more blooms.

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Acalypha pendula 'Mini Red' (Cat's tail 'Mini Red') will reach a height of 0.4m and a spread of 0.4m after 1 year.

Suggested uses

Conservatory, Containers, Hanging baskets, Sub-Tropical

Cultivation

May be grown as a conservatory plant in well-drained, loam-based compost in filtered light. If grown outdoors, choose a sheltered position in full sun or part-shade,and plant in fertile, moist, free-draining soil. Do not let soil dry out completely.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Acalypha pendula 'Mini Red' (Cat's tail 'Mini Red')

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Acalypha pendula 'Mini Red' (Cat's tail 'Mini Red')

Common pest name

cotton mealybug

Scientific pest name

Phenacoccus solenopsis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Watching brief for potential impact on tomato production in the Mediterranean. Other southern European countries likely to be more at risk. Precautionary action will be taken on findings on planting material to protect glasshouse crops and botanical gardens.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Acalypha pendula 'Mini Red' (Cat's tail 'Mini Red')

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Spilostethus hospes

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Seed bug unlikely to pose a significant threat to UK plant health.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/