Graptophyllum pictum aka Caricature Plant

Graptophyllum pictum is an evergreen shrub from New Guinea. It belongs to the acanthus family, Acanthaceae. Its common name is caricature plant. Some people see face-like shapes in its marked leaves. It grows in a wet tropical climate in its native range. Gardeners grow it for its leaves, rather than its flowers. It serves as a hedge in tropical gardens. In colder places, gardeners grow it in pots.

The shrub grows upright and forms many branches. Outdoor plants reach about 6–9 feet [1.8–2.7 metres] tall. Useful Tropical Plants reports heights up to 11.5 feet [3.5 metres]. Pot-grown plants stay smaller and form a rounded shape. Missouri Botanical Garden gives their height as 2–4 feet [0.6–1.2 metres]. Its listed spread reaches 4 feet [1.2 metres]. The oval to elliptic leaves reach 0.5 feet [0.15 metres] long. Cream patches mark the deep green leaves along their central veins.

Red to purplish-red flowers form clusters at the stem tips. Each flower has a tube shape, with stamens extending beyond it. The clusters measure about 0.25–0.33 feet [0.08–0.10 metres] long. Missouri Botanical Garden describes summer bloom, though its listing says seasonal. Plants in pots may not flower. Frequent pinching for fresh leaves can also limit blooms. Regular pruning helps the shrub branch and grow new leaves. This makes pruning useful when foliage is the main aim.

Grow this shrub in rich soil that drains well. It needs moderate moisture and suits sun or partial shade. It can also grow in sites with very little sun. Sun gives the leaves their strongest colour. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA hardiness zones 10–11. Roots may survive in zone 9b. In cold climates, move pots indoors for winter. A bright sunroom provides one place to keep them. Another option is to cut back the leaves for dormant storage. Keep dormant pots in a cool, dark place without frost.

Missouri Botanical Garden reports no major pest or disease problems. Indoors, watch for spider mites, whiteflies, and scale insects. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known food uses or hazards. That does not confirm safety for people or pets. The leaves contain saponins and can serve as a soap substitute. Traditional uses include leaf infusions for constipation and poultices for wounds. These records describe folk uses, not proven treatments.