I only have a couple flame acanthus (bought separately at different times), but they each started out laying on their side like yours, but gradually (1 - 2 years?, I don't remember exactly) became completely upright on their own.

They grow really easy in my garden. I prune them whenever it is necessary and they come back really soon..

Omar

GEE, mine never had that problem. They get really big in time. There is always staking them or planting them deeper.

Could stake them to improve near-term look, but wouldn't remove any healthy growth during the first season. That leaf area is supporting vital root growth. Once established, this plant trims up very well to rehab the shape. If you're in part of the state that gets hard freezes, you'll likely be trimming it back towards the ground every Spring anyway. Ours took a couple seasons to shape up nicely from quart size containers.

The plant props sold at HD and other big-box stores work pretty well to hold up plants like these if you don't want to mess with stakes and ties.

Here is a link that might be useful: Plant Prop

thanks ya'll