Acalypha Species, Lance Copperleaf, Jacob's Coat, Fire-Dragon, Match-Me-If-You-Can, Irish Petticoat

I have several of these and love them. They don't have any pest or disease problems and can take sun or shade. The tops get a bit singe...Read Mored in a freeze, but I trim them back and they've come back bigger each year for three years. They do tend to require daily watering until new plants get the roots established, but after that they are very tolerant of high heat and humidity.

It only grows successfully in the garden during the summer, otherwise, it is on houseplant status

Here in S Florida I have seen these 15' or better. In my yard I have several of each (general) color which I keep at about 8'. Great fo...Read Morer use in hiding an ugly section of yard you don't want seen. I have had leaves to 15" in length and 10-12 inches in width. I also have one that is both green and red/maroon. This one is in full sun. I have several in shade and they still do well, not as tall as in the ones in the sun. If you are looking for spectacular showy plant with great color, these have it.
Art

San Antonio, Tx.
The copper leaf is a plant that adds interesting color wherever it has been planted. The variations of the foliag...Read Moree color provides interest. The leaves turn more coppery the more sun they receive. In filtered or partial shade, the leaves have more purple, mauve, and pink tones. The blooms when drying hang down looking like yarn in the late summer and fall. An easy to grow, carefree plant that has provided me much enjoyment through the years.

I grew this plant in St. Petersburg, Florida (zone 9b) for almost ten years. It is easy from cuttings. I had it in a very sunny spot, b...Read Moreut it was partially shaded by 10-15' tall Dwarf Brazilian bananas and papayas.

I also had various colored cannas and zebra plants in that bed, so it was all very tropical looking. Everything froze down during harsh winters, but I had every thing well mulched, so they all came back by mid-Spring.

Best foliage color in full sun. Soils must be kept consistently moist. If soils dry out, rapid leaf drop usually occurs. Stems may be pin...Read Moreched to control size and shape and to promote bushiness. Take tip cuttings in late summer to overwinter.