Chenille plants are dioecious; staminate (male) and pistillate (female) flowers are borne on separate plants. The red pistillate flowers are greatly reduced; mostly feathery pistils, but the flowers are tightly packed along a pendant raceme. The racemes, up to 45 centimeters (18 inches) long, arise from the leaf axils. The male plants are not showy; consequently, the chenille plants in general cultivation are all females.

Chenille plants do not age gracefully; they become unsightly—open and woody—and tend to topple. Flowering decreases. It is a general practice to take cuttings in the fall so that the next year's plants grow vigorously and flower profusely.

As members of the Euphorbiaceae, the spurge or poinsettia family, the milky latex can be irritating and cause severe dermatitis. Wear gloves when handling broken stems or leaves and when taking cuttings. Plant the chenille plant where it can be viewed, but well out of the way of passers-by.

(Compiled from: "Acalypha", A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, C. Brickell and J.D. Zuk, American Horticultural Society, DK Publishing, Inc., NY, 1996; "Acalypha", Hortus Third, Staff L.H. Bailey Hortorium, NY State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Macmillan, NY, 1976; "Acalypha hispida", E.F. Gilman, FPS 004, Cooperative Extension Service, IFAS, University of Florida, 1999 & 2004.)