The Chenille Plant

Houseplants are available in many shapes, sizes and colors. People classify houseplants as either common or exotic. The terms common and exotic do not pertain to how easy or difficult the houseplant is to care for. These terms refer to things that make them the same or different from other houseplants. Common houseplants are the ones that are found in abundance such as ivy, while exotics are ones that are different in some way, such as the Chenille Plant, whose blooms classify it as an exotic houseplant. Choosing between a common houseplant and an exotic houseplant is easy. All you have to do is decide which one you like and which one will do the best in the location where it you are considering placing it. If this plant is cared for properly, it will continue to bring beauty into a home for many years.

The Chenille Plant, also known as Acalypha hispida, is native to the Pacific Islands. Knowing this tells us that this is a tropical plant and its requirements are warm temperatures and humidity to thrive and remain beautiful. This plant also requires indirect light or light shade and soil that will hold moisture. Chenille Plants also needs misting regularly. This misting will help with the humidity remain where it needs to be for this plant to thrive correctly. Fertilizing is also important when caring for this exotic houseplant and applying them every six weeks is important. If the homeowner provides their Chenille Plants with the water, light, soil and fertilizer that they need, in the amounts that they require, the plants will stay healthy and beautiful.

The blooms on the Chenille Plant are the characteristic that aids in them being on the exotic houseplant list. These blooms are red, purple or creamy white and look like they are made from the fabric called Chenille. These blooms, which occur in the summer, are also the reasons for naming this exotic houseplant a Chenille Plant, Foxtails or even Red-hot Cat Tails. When the Chenille Plant finishes blooming, deadheading the spent bloom is important to encourage more growth and blooms. The Chenille Plant also has beautiful leaves that are reminiscent of Poinsettia leaves because these two plants are distant relatives.

Propagation of these exotic houseplants occurs from cuttings taken in February or at least in early spring. When taking these cuttings be careful to leave a small heal on five to six inches of the stem grown that occurred during the current season. Root these cuttings in a soil mixture of half sand and half peat moss. Keep cuttings moist, humid and in the shade and in a short time you will have more beautiful Chenille Plants to share or use in your own decorating adventures.

The beautiful Chenille Plant is an exotic houseplant that would be an interesting addition to any indoor garden. With the proper care, enjoying this blooming houseplant will be possible for many years. For more information on this interesting exotic houseplant, visit www.directgardening.com or www.hillgardens.com/chenille.htm.