Acalypha ‘Stephie’

Common Name:
Acalypha 'Stephie'

Description:
Acalypha 'Stephie' is a compact and colourful evergreen shrub known for its dense, rounded form and vibrant foliage. This cultivar features narrow, bright pink to magenta-toned leaves with splashes of green, offering a striking contrast that adds year-round interest to tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate gardens. A favourite for adding a pop of colour to mixed borders or feature pots, 'Stephie' performs best in warm, sheltered positions and thrives in Melbourne gardens when protected from frost and cold winds. It prefers a sunny to partly shaded spot with free-draining, humus-rich soil. While primarily grown for its ornamental foliage, it may occasionally produce small, inconspicuous flowers. This low-maintenance shrub benefits from regular pruning to encourage a tidy shape and denser growth. Acalypha 'Stephie' brings a vibrant, tropical feel to contemporary garden designs and is perfect for colour contrast in mass plantings or containers.

Form:
Shrub - Small
Shrub - Clumping / Grass-like / Mounding

Mature Size:
Height: 0.6–1 m
Width: 0.6–1 m

Aspect:
Full Sun
Part Shade

Flowering:
Does not flower under Melbourne's weather conditions

Flower Colour:
Not applicable / foliage plant

Key Attributes:
Suitable for Pots
Perennial
Suitable for Hedging
Colourful Foliage
Low Maintenance

Toxicity:
May be mildly toxic if ingested by pets (dogs and cats); can cause gastrointestinal upset. Skin irritation possible from sap.

Companion Plants:
Cordyline
Croton
Coleus
Liriope
Hebe
Fountain Grass (Pennisetum)