If You See This Red Fuzzy Plant, This Is What It Is

Here at Family Handyman, we are lovers of all flowers. From the low-maintenance to the truly colorful, there’s a place for every flower in our gardens. And now, we have a new favorite fleur du jour, a fuzzy, fuchsia cattail-like critter, first spotted by our photo editor, Darren Hartwell, at a greenhouse in Roanoke, Virginia. So, what are these bizarre, Dr. Suess-y plants, exactly? Here’s everything you need to know, including how to grow these firetail plants yourself.

Why Choose the Firetail Chenille Plant?

These “fluffy masses of bright red flower spikes” are called Firetail Chenille or Acalypha Pendula. They are sometimes also called “monkey tails” or “red-hot cattails.” In appearance, their leaves are simple, but their bright, fluffy flowers are stunning.

They are trailing varieties of plants, making them perfect for hanging planters and flower boxes. They bloom in the United States in spring and summer. In their native Philippines or New Guinea, they can grow up to 18 feet tall and 8 feet wide. However, here in the United States, they will likely only grow around 18 inches wide and 5 inches tall, making them suitable ground cover for your garden.

Ideal Growing Conditions for Firetail Plants

Before you go out and buy firetail chenille, first make sure it can thrive in your area. If you are in plant hardiness zones 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a and 11b, you will have the best chances at supporting firetail chenille. If you are not in these zones, growing firetail indoors or in a greenhouse can successfully mimic its preferred tropical climate and keep the plant thriving.

From there the firetail chenille will need full to partial sun and sandy, loamy soil. If you can meet these requirements, head to your local nursery and search for the fuzzy flowers among the other tropical flowering plants. If you see fuchsias, petunias and begonias, you’re likely on the right track.

Growing Firetail Indoors

Firetail chenille plants can thrive in indoor conditions. Provided they get bright light, consistent moisture and heat, they’ll keep flowering indoors year-round. Just don’t expose them to cold drafts and excessive watering, which can cause root rot or stress.

Here’s how to plant and care for your chenille plant to help it thrive from day one:

• Find a suitably sized container for planting.
• Fill the container with loamy soil, which is ideal for chenille plants because of its excellent drainage and nutrient content.
• Transplant your nursery starter into the soil.
• Water the plant immediately after transplanting.
• While the plant is establishing its roots, keep the soil consistently moist.
• During the growing season, water the plant every 2 or 3 days, or whenever the soil is about to dry out completely.
• Keep the plant in a location where the temperature stays above 60 degrees.
• For best results, till in a half-strength balanced flower fertilizer every week.
• Ta-da: you’ve got a new, vibrant plant friend!

Still, if you’re reading all this and it sounds like a lot of effort for one plant—no matter how whimsical—check out our list of invincible houseplants. These indoor plants do especially well in winter and, if all else fails, they make some pretty amazing fake look-alikes these days. Style them with design tricks, and your guests will never know the difference!

Guide to Pruning Firetail Chenille Plants

Good pruning promotes new blooms and maintains your firetail in an attractive fullness. Firetail chenille is a showy tropical flowering plant that needs frequent care. Here are a few firetail pruning tips:

• Trim old or faded flower spikes regularly to promote new growth.
• In early spring, prune leggy stems back by one-third.
• Disinfect shears before and after pruning to prevent disease.

Common Firetail Plant Problems (and How to Solve Them)

Whether you’re growing firetails indoors or outside, here’s how to spot and fix common issues—plus tips to improve your overall chenille plant care routine

Wilting or Yellowing Leaves

This usually means there is a problem with irrigation. Firetail plants want soil that is always damp, but roots that are too wet can rot. Chenille plants do best in a peat-based mix that drains well and keeps moisture without being too wet. Thus, water the plants when the top layer of the soil feels dry, and make sure the pots have good drainage.

No Flowers or Sparse Blooming

If your plants aren’t blooming, it usually means they aren’t getting enough light or nutrients. Firetail plants need at least six hours of bright, indirect sunlight every day. Put them near a sunny window inside. To help them blossom more, give them a balanced flower fertilizer once a week during the growing season.

Pests Indoors

If you plant firetail inside, you can have problems with pests like aphids, spider mites or mealybugs. These bugs do well in warm, dry places. Mist your plant often to increase the humidity and use remedies like neem oil or insecticidal soap to get rid of bugs.

Leggy Growth or Droopy Stems

Firetail plants can get lanky over time. One of the best ways to prune firetails is to cut back long or straggly stems on a regular basis to stimulate bushy, compact growth. Not only does this make things look better, but it also encourages more flowers to bloom.

Brown Leaf Tips or Dry Edges

This is a common symptom of dry air, especially inside. To keep your chenille plant healthy and vibrant, use a pebble tray, a humidifier, or regular misting to add moisture to the air.

FAQs

What kind of sunlight does a firetail chenille plant need?

These plants love bright, indirect light. Outside, partial sun or dappled shade is best. Inside, a sunny area near an east-or south-facing window is suitable. Steer clear of intense afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves or dry out the plant.

How do you propagate a firetail chenille plant?

Firetail chenille is simple to propagate. During spring, cut a 4 in. softwood tip, dip the base in rooting hormone and set in wet, well-draining soil. Provide warmth and bright, indirect light until root development occurs—typically a matter of weeks.

Sources

• Wisconsin Horticulture: “Chenille Plant, Acalypha hispida”
• Longwood Gardens: “A Chenille Plant Journey”
• Plantly: “Chenille Plant Care and Ultimate Growing Guide”