Landscape Showroom / RLC Selection Guide

Copperleaf for Tampa Landscapes

Acalypha amentacea subsp. wilkesiana

Also called: Acalypha wilkesiana; copper plant; Jacob’s coat

Copperleaf is a large-leaf color accent that can add warmth and movement to a broad planting bed. It deserves enough room to develop a full outline, rather than being forced into a tiny foundation opening.

Plan this with RLC →

AI-generated illustration. Actual plants and materials vary; confirm the supplied selection with RLC.

At a glance

Where it fits

A small number of plants can anchor a focal area beside a patio or at a bend in a bed. Pair with simple green foliage so the mottled leaves remain the feature. Use it where its eventual width will not close a walkway or swallow lower accents.

Sizes and varieties

Bronze, pink-edged and variegated cultivars are not visually interchangeable. Some selections are more compact than others. Confirm the exact foliage pattern and expected mature size; a smaller container is not a dwarf cultivar.

Care through the seasons

Selective shaping keeps the plant from leaning into surrounding plants. Look for aphids, scale or mites when growth becomes distorted. Water during extended dry weather rather than judging drought tolerance as a guarantee of perfect foliage. Freeze-damaged stems should be assessed after the cold event has passed.

Placement mistakes to avoid

A broad exposed hedge that must look identical through winter may be better served by another plant. Avoid overusing this strong foliage color across every bed.

Buying size is not finished size

3- and 7-gallon are useful starting sizes to ask about. These are nursery formats to ask about, not a live stock list or a guaranteed height. Compare the actual canopy, root ball, cultivar and overall condition. Leave room for the mature plant, even when a new installation initially looks open.

Planning the installation

Measure the usable bed, including space around windows, paths, utilities and irrigation. Show RLC both a wide view and the details of the existing ground. Discuss removals, preparation, access and watering before choosing a quantity. A larger plant may give more presence on day one, but the right location and establishment care still determine the result.

What affects cost?

Relative starting plant tier: $$. A tier compares material categories; it is not an installed price. Nursery size, fullness, quantity, delivery access, removals and irrigation changes can alter the quote. Compare the whole scope, including the selected variety and size.

Common question

Can copperleaf work as a hedge?

It can make an informal colorful screen where space and climate suit it. For tightly clipped, dependable year-round privacy in a cold inland location, compare greener and more cold-tolerant options.

Reference: Plant or product information. Planning guidance reviewed September 2026. Availability and installed prices are confirmed by quote.