Justicia brandegeeana is an evergreen shrub in the genus Justicia of the family Acanthaceae, native to Mexico, and also naturalized in Florida. It grows to 1 m tall with spindly limbs. The leaves are oval, green, 3–7.5 cm long.
Shrimp plant Care
Justicia brandegeeana
What is the plant
J. brandegeeana is a bushy evergreen shrub growing to 100 cm (39 in) tall by 60–90 cm (24–35 in) broad. The stems and leaves are downy. The leaves are variegated and usually grow in clusters on the branches. As the plant receives more sun, the amount of creamy white on the speckled leaves will increase, and vice versa. The flowers emerge from bracts that form off the stems. The bracts start out white, but with more sun exposure they turn anywhere from pale pink to deep salmon. A chain of bracts will continue to grow until it falls off in most cases; thus the chains can grow anywhere from a few inches to nearly a foot in length. Flowers emerge from the bracts; usually they are long, thin, and white with speckled maroon throats. The species is named after the American botanist Townshend Stith Brandegee (1843–1925); the scientific name is commonly seen misspelled "brandegeana".
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Humidity
Normal
Lighting
Full Sun
Temperature
15°C - 30°C
Hardiness zone
8b - 11
Difficulty
Medium
Hibernation
Cold Period
How to Care for the Plant
Water
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Keep soil evenly moist from spring through fall. Allow to stay only slightly drier in winter.
Fertilizer
Feed with a general purpose fertiliser before new growth begins in spring.
Sunlight
Justicia brandegeeana can handle a variety of environments, more sun on the coast, more shade inland. Plant it in full sun to partial shade in sheltered, frost free spot in cold climate. The colourful flower bracts tend to bleach out in full sun, so these plants are generally best grown in part shade with some protection from hot afternoon sun. Bright light with some direct sun is ideal for bloom formation. This plant thrives in the shade in tropical areas.
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Soil
Plant Justicia brandegeeana outdoors in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. It does best in well-drained sandy or loamy soil, but will tolerate most soil types which drain well.
Temperature
As it dislikes temperatures below 7°C (45°F), in cooler temperate areas it is best grown under glass where it is excellent as a potted houseplant, owing to its ability to tolerate low light and some neglect.
Popularity
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