Acalypha hispida 21cm Plants GrowTropicals
Acalypha hispida — 13cm
Chenille Plant

Acalypha hispida

£17.99
Humidity-loverPet-safe
Pot size

FREE tracked delivery on orders over £60

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Description

Acalypha hispida, commonly known as the Chenille Plant, is a striking evergreen shrub known for its long, fuzzy, red to deep pink flower spikes that resemble caterpillars. These unique flowers bloom sporadically throughout the year, adding vibrant colour and texture to indoor spaces.

Live Arrival Guarantee

All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit, and every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something is not right on arrival, we will make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.

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Delivery & returns

Order by 1pm Monday to Friday for same day dispatch. Every plant travels in protective, plant-safe packaging with tracked delivery.

Changed your mind? See our Return Policy.

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How to care for Chenille Plant

Keep me in bright, gentle light away from harsh sun and never let me dry out completely.

In their words

What our customers say

Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.

Emily P.

Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.

James R.

Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.

Sophie L.
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About Chenille Plant

Acalypha hispida is a houseplant that takes a little effort. It needs bright indirect light, watering often enough to keep the compost evenly moist, high humidity and a minimum temperature of 16°C. It is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Good for

Kitchen Hallway

Care level

EasyChallenge

A little effort

Light

ShadeFull sun

Bright, indirect light

This plant grows best in bright, indirect light or dappled shade. Keep it away from direct sun, which can scorch its delicate leaves. For healthy growth and vibrant foliage, place it near a north-facing or east-facing window where it will receive plenty of filtered light. Read moreShow less

This plant grows best in bright, indirect light or dappled shade. Keep it away from direct sun, which can scorch its delicate leaves. For healthy growth and vibrant foliage, place it near a north-facing or east-facing window where it will receive plenty of filtered light.

Learn more →

Watering

Evenly moistDries out fully

Keep evenly moist

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water your plant when the top 1/3 to 1/2 of the soil feels slightly dry, and always ensure the pot has good drainage. Avoid soggy soil or standing water, and do not let the plant dry out completely, as steady moisture is essential for healthy growth. Read moreShow less

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water your plant when the top 1/3 to 1/2 of the soil feels slightly dry, and always ensure the pot has good drainage. Avoid soggy soil or standing water, and do not let the plant dry out completely, as steady moisture is essential for healthy growth.

Humidity

Average homeHigh humidity

Needs high humidity

This plant will tolerate normal household humidity, but performs best with slightly higher levels. Like all tropical plants, good humidity levels help support healthy growth and keep the foliage healthy. If you have a particularly dry home, grouping plants together can help to increase humidity. Read moreShow less

This plant will tolerate normal household humidity, but performs best with slightly higher levels. Like all tropical plants, good humidity levels help support healthy growth and keep the foliage healthy. If you have a particularly dry home, grouping plants together can help to increase humidity.

Learn more →

Temperature

Keep above 16°C · Likes a warm room

This plant grows best in warm temperatures between 18°C and 26°C. Keep it away from cold draughts and avoid temperatures below 15°C, as cooler conditions can stress the plant and affect healthy growth. Read moreShow less

This plant grows best in warm temperatures between 18°C and 26°C. Keep it away from cold draughts and avoid temperatures below 15°C, as cooler conditions can stress the plant and affect healthy growth.

Feeding

Feed monthly with a balanced fertiliser from spring to autumn, and let it rest over winter.

Soil & Substrate

Our Simply Houseplant Tropical Potting Mix provides a well-draining, peat-free blend for this species.

Growth habit

Upright →Bushy →

Plant type

Foliage houseplant →

Toxicity

Listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Plants still are not food, so a determined chewer may get an upset stomach.

Origins

Native to the tropical forests of Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, Acalypha hispida grows as a shrub in warm, humid conditions. It is widely cultivated in tropical regions as an ornamental garden plant.

Also known as

Acalypha hispida

Genus

Acalypha
More on caring for houseplants What does bright indirect light mean? Should I mist my houseplants?
Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my plant come with a pot?
Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.

It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.

If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.
How big will my plant be when it arrives?
Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.

If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.

That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.
What makes your plants different from the supermarket or garden centre?
There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.

Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.

When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.

We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.

Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.

It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.

Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.

Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.
Will my plant survive being shipped?
Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.

During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.

That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 48 hours with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.

The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.
Why Grow Tropicals

Plants delivered the way they deserve

Packaged with Care

Packaged with Care

Every order is hand-packed in eco-friendly, protective packaging - refined through thousands of deliveries to ensure your plant arrives healthy, hydrated, and looking its best.

Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

Perfect for Gifting

Perfect for Gifting

From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.

Delivered fresh, beautiful, and gift-ready.

Sustainability at Heart

Sustainability at Heart

All plants are ethically sourced from trusted growers, never wild-collected. Every order ships carbon-neutral in minimal-waste packaging.

Good for your home - and the planet.

Verified reviews

Rated by real customers

This unusual flowering plant arrives well-packaged and often "bigger than expected." Customers praised its "gorgeous flowers" and healthy condition upon delivery. While most were thrilled, some noted issues with sparse growth or arrival condition. The plant features distinctive blooms and a "fruity smell," thriving indoors near windows.

  • Much bigger than expected, very healthy and absolutely covered in flowers and new shoots.
  • The plant arrived in great time and very well cared for. Looks amazing on the shelf.
  • Unusual plant that arrived thriving and already in bloom. Recipient was delighted!
  • 5 stars: 11 (85%)
  • 4 stars: 1 (8%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 1 (8%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
K
Kristian
Wow!

My acalypha hispada arrived today, very well packaged as always. Seriously impressed with this plant, much bigger than expected, very healthy after it’s journey and absolutely covered in flowers and new shoots. Really looking forwards to watching this one grow.

Kristian review photo
C
Choi L.
Trio of Healthy Plants

Purchased three plants as a Birthday gift. They arrived carefully packaged in an excellent & healthy condition. Love the acalypha hispada especially, as it’s an unusual plant that arrived thriving & already in bloom. Recipient was delighted! I will definitely be back for more.

Choi L. review photo
C
Cladiana P.
In love with this plant

In love with this plant thank you

Cladiana P. review photo Cladiana P. review photo
L
Lizzie

Dusappointed, slready dead

T
Tommy

So far so good! 😁 the plant arrived in great time and very well cared for. Has a bit of a fruity smell and looks amazing on the shelf by my window. Very happy with my purchase.

S
Saba Iqbal

Packaged very well. Item arrived promptly. The plant was bigger than expected and healthy

T
TINA
Cute

I love this plant it is most unusual and really cute

S
Sharon M.
Gorgeous

She’s absolutely beautiful. I’m really pleased with her. Well worth it. And wrapped up beautifully.

D
Denise R.
Unusual plant.

This is a lovely plant, not seen before. It arrived well protected in winter packaging.

S
Samantha
Gorgeous flowers!!

There's about 5 flowers already and a couple coming through! The leaves are in incredible shape! Beautiful, absolutely stunning! :heart_eyes:

C
Chantelle L.
Beautiful

Brought for my partner as he loves plants, he was over the moon with it. Well packaged and came in perfect condition. Will be buying from here again

C
Carolyn G.
A Little Disappointed

I received a Acalypha Hispida recently. As I was carefully cutting the packaging off I noticed that half the pot was empty and the plant was only growing on one side of the pot. I then noticed that the plant was growing from plugs and the plugs had not been covered and were sticking up above the surface of the soil. There was only one flower on the plant which was very old, faded and needed to be snipped off. I have been keeping a close eye on this plant since receiving it as I have wanted one for ages. I am confident that it will be ok soon and I look forward to it spreading out to fill the pot and producing some lovely flowers

C
Chris A.
Quality plant with unusual characteristics

Quality plant with unusual characteristics at present it is enjoying a few weeks in the greenhouse looking out on grey skies,no chance of heat stroke!

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Acalypha hispida
£17.99