The word chenille may conjure an image of a fabric with fuzzy ridges often used to make bedspreads. In French, the word means caterpillar. For many gardeners, however, the long red caterpillar-like flowers of the chenille plant come to mind. This bushy shrub was quite popular in Hawaii for many years and it’s time to renew its reputation. The brightly colored tassels of the chenille plant are eye-catching. The plants can serve in a tropical garden as a showy specimen plant, as an attractive hedge or as a decorative small tree. They require little care and produce their striking woolly red flower spikes nearly year round.
The name chenille is aptly applied as the pendulous flowers of this plant are truly reminiscent of a fuzzy caterpillar. The inflorescence for which the plant is named is actually a catkin containing many female flowers. Known botanically as Acalypha hispida, the genus name is from a Greek word for nettle that refers to the large dark green leaves that resemble the nettle plant. The species name hispida is from a Latin adjective that describes an object covered with stiff hair or bristles. The flower spikes are actually rather soft and fluffy inspiring another common name for the plant: red cat’s tails.
As part of the huge Euphobia family, chenille plants have well-known ornamental relatives including kukui trees, crotons, snowbush, poinsettia, jatropha, spurges and crown of thorns. Most in this large family of almost 8,000 species share the characteristic of having milky sap that is sometimes used medicinally but can also cause allergic reactions in some people.
Though most of the chenille plants grown in Hawaii produce red inflorescence, other varieties in white, pink and purple do exist. All varieties have large dark green leaves with serrated edges. The plants have a shrub-like growth habit and respond well to pruning making them very useful in hedging. They can also be pruned into a more tree-like shape or placed in a pot and used as interesting specimens in the garden, on a lanai or even indoors.
Wild ancestors of the chenille plant probably originated in Indonesia. The cultivated species that grow now in tropical areas around the world produce only female flowers and no seeds or fruit. This means, of course, that propagation must be done by cuttings. Partially woody stems work best and will root easily in a moist mix of vermiculite and perlite.
Once the cuttings start putting out new leaves and have developed some roots, they can go into pots or hanging baskets or directly into the garden. Choose a location in full sun or partial shade with at least four hours of sun a day where you can keep the soil moist. These plants are not very drought tolerant. Also, if you live near the ocean or in a windy area be sure they are well protected from the elements.
A few pests are attracted to chenille plants, so keep your eye on them. If they have adequate moisture and humidity and light applications of slow release fertilizer several times a year they should be fine. Over-watering or over fertilizing can make the plants more attractive to pests like scale, white fly, aphids or spider mites. Watch for these critters and hit them early with a mix of safer soap and neem oil to control the population.
Chenille plants can grow to 12 or 15 feet high and 6 feet wide in ideal conditions. They are quite tolerant of pruning and can be easily maintained to the desired size and shape. Warm temperatures, a humid environment and sunlight encourage blooming. Overhead watering can shorten the life of blossoms, however, so if you are misting the leaves avoid the flowers. To keep the blooms coming, be sure to remove dead ones and prune the plant lightly. When removing flowers or pruning, wear gloves to protect your hands from the sap which can cause an allergic reaction.
Sunrise Nursery has small ones in stock. Call around to other nurseries if you want to find larger ones. They can make a stunning addition to any garden and definitely deserve a popularity revival here in Hawaii.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living on an organic farm in Captain Cook.
Gardening Events
Saturday: “Work Day at Amy Greenwell Garden” from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Garden Visitor Center across from the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. Volunteers will be able to help with garden maintenance and are invited to bring a brown bag lunch. Call Peter at 323-3318 for more information.
“Eating Wild: Growing and Using ‘Wild Table’ Plants” from 10 to 11 a.m. at Kailua-Kona Public Library, 75-138 Hualalai Road, Kailua-Kona with Ed Fenzl. Part of the Friends of the Libraries, Kona (FOLK) Community Seed Library’s speaker series. For more information, contact Natalie at 508.264.7335
Farmer Direct Markets
Wednesday: “Hooulu Farmers Market” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay
Wednesday: “Sunset Farmers Market” 2 p.m. to sunset at the north makai corner of the Kmart parking lot.
Saturday: “Keauhou Farmers Market” 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center
“Kamuela Farmer’s Market” from 7 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables
Sunday: “South Kona Green Market” 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook
Tuesday–Saturday: “U-Pick greens and produce” 10a.m. to 4p.m. Tropical Edibles Nursery, Captain Cook.
Plant Advice Lines
Anytime: konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu – 322-4892
Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES at Komohana in Hilo 981-5199 or himga@hawaii.edu
