Justicia brandegeeana aka Shrimp Plant

Justicia brandegeeana is a shrub that stays green all year. It belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It comes from Mexico and Central America. It grows in the tropics, where part of the year is dry. Its common names are shrimp plant and Mexican shrimp plant. It has two older names: Beloperone guttata and Justicia guttata. Its curved flower displays gave it the name shrimp plant.

Garden plants grow about 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre] tall and wide. The shrub grows upright, with a loose, bushy shape. Its oval leaves stay green all year. RHS says plants take five to ten years to mature. Older plants can lose lower leaves and grow leggy. Pinch the shoot tips to keep the plant small and bushy. Pruning can bring back growth on bare lower stems. RHS suggests replacing plants when their shape gets too loose.

The flower spikes form tight groups that arch above the leaves. Bracts overlap and give the displays most of their colour. These are leaves that have changed, not the flowers themselves. They range from reddish pink to yellow-green. Small white flowers grow among the bracts, each shaped like a tube. Each flower lasts less time than the coloured display. Chicago Botanic Garden gives May through October as the bloom season. RHS also says the plant blooms over a long season. It draws birds and butterflies, while deer tend to avoid it.

Grow it in a sheltered, frost-free spot, or under glass. RHS suggests part shade; Chicago lists full sun as well. Soil should drain well but still hold some moisture. The plant grows in chalk, clay, loam and sandy soils. It can also grow in acid, neutral and alkaline soil. Chicago lists medium water needs and USDA zones 9–11. RHS gives it a UK rating of H1B. This means it can grow outside in summer. It needs protection in colder months. Leaves may fall if soil stays too wet or dry.

Shrimp plant suits pots, patios, beds and borders. It can grow as a houseplant or a shrub in a conservatory. The coloured bracts account for most of its long display. Missouri Botanical Garden says it needs little upkeep. RHS reports few diseases, but leaf spot can occur. Whiteflies and spider mites can cause trouble, more so indoors. Growers can use seeds or stem cuttings to raise new plants. Both softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings work. The supplied sources do not say whether it is edible or toxic.