Growth habit: A heavily branched upright to rounded shrub growing to 8 feet tall and wide. The leaves are ovate in shape consisting of variations of green, coppery, red and yellow colors often with toothed margins and growing to 6 inches long and 4 inches wide.
Water needs: Tolerates short periods of drought; prefers a moist soil with weekly waterings.
Feedings: Apply a general landscape fertilizer in March, June and September if needed for growth. A slow-release fertilizer may be substituted following label instructions.
Propagation: Start new plants from cuttings.
Ease of culture: Easy.
Hardiness: Medium; damaged by freezes but usually grows back from thick stems or buds near the ground.
Major problems: Mealy bugs like to feed in the new shoots; scale insects and mites may also cause damage. Control these pests with a horticultural oil as needed.
Pruning: Late winter is a good time to prune out cold damage and reshape the plants as needed by reducing the height and width. Out of bounds shoots can be removed at any time.
Uses: An attractive shrub with leaves of many colors used as a stand alone accent or in hedge and space divider plantings. Several shrubs can be set as backdrop for flower gardens or used as focal points. Plants can also be displayed in large containers for the patio or landscape. The flowers are insignificant and hidden by the more attractive foliage. Pictured is variety 'Marginata' with a red edge.
Florida native: No; native to the Pacific Islands.
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