The Chenille Plant (Acalypha hispida), also known as Red-Hot Cattail, is a tender tropical and is often used as a houseplant. With it’s cascading branches, it is a great plant for a hanging basket. I have mine outside where it gets partial sun and must be watered often. The bright red blooms look like fuzzy caterpillars and can get as long as 12 inches. Click photos to enlarge.
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what a strange and beautiful flower! had never seen this before
Hi LA723, thanks for your comments. It is definitely a strange flower!
Goodness, that is so vibrantly red and flourishing. My Mother has one of these as a houseplant, as you mentioned.
Quietpaths, I love these strange looking plants. It does seem to be flourishing outside, but I do have to water it most every day.
Is this plant toxic to dogs? My Maltepoo eats EVERYTHING. I have 2 of these plants hanging on my deck, thus fuzzies dropped on deck and ground. My dog has had Pancreatitis (costing us over $1,000 to save his life), and now today his diarrhea is back (after being over it). I am curious as to if this plant is causing him to be sick.
Hi Christine,
Oh no, sorry your dog is sick. I didn’t know for sure whether or not the chenille plant is poisonous, but I did a google search and found that the ASPCA website says it is not toxic to dogs or cats.
However, this site says it is in fact toxic to dogs:
Chenille Plant Acalypha hispida
Dogstrust.org – poisonous plants
I would definitely call the vet to find out for sure. Good luck, hope your dog’s okay.
Sherry
I have a photo of one of these from the Victoria Butterfly Garden in Victoria, B.C. where the blossoms are almost 24″ long and a very bright red. If you are interested, I would email it to you.
Hi Mark,
Wow! 24″? That must be awesome to see. Sure, I would love to see a photo. Click on my contact link at top of page for email info.
Thanks for visiting,
Sherry
Thank you for having the name for this plant. I got it for mothers day last year and had it outside did great till it froze.I did not know the name till now.
bewitchingdragon, you’re welcome, glad this post helped you to identify your plant. I try to get one every year for outside and dont bring it in either — I just let it freeze. Thanks for visiting,
Sherry
How can or were can I buy one .I live in Halifax n.s
Carolyn,
I bought mine at a local nursery. I’ve also seen chenille plants in the houseplant section at Lowe’s. Good luck finding one, they really are beautiful plants!
-Sherry
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