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Native to Mexico , Justicia brandegeeana [ jus - TEE - see - ah , bran - dij - ee - AN - uh ] is an evergreen shrub and part of the family Acanthaceae of plants that let in :
Justicia brandegeeana produces white flowers strain from red bract resemble prawn .
Thanks to the shrimp - corresponding coming into court of the flowers and bracts , it goes by several uncouth name :
It ’s a relatively low - maintenance industrial plant and may last for 10 to 20 years when decent cared for .
Other plants know by the common name Shrimp Plant :
Justicia Brandegeeana Care
Size and Growth
The Mexican shrimp plant can reach up to 3′ foot magniloquent with lank branch cover in ellipse - shaped leaves .
The spread is often about equal to the height .
After it exceeds 2′ metrical foot , the leaf becomes less dense .
The dark-green folio typically value about 1.5″ to 3″ inches and grow in bunch toward the end of the branches .
With optimum sun , the leaves go to educate speckles of bloodless .
Flowering and Fragrance
This plant life blooms doubly per year , commence in the summer .
It produce white bracts tardily farm and interchange color throughout the bloom .
The bracts start whitened and bit by bit turn pale pink to rich loss or salmon .
The farsighted , white flowers grow from the bracts and feature speckles of red near the throats .
The prime and bract last for several months before a short period of residual and a 2d blossom .
The flowers have a svelte aroma and lean to attract butterfly and hummingbirds .
Light and Temperature
Justicia brandegeeana grows good in the shade in humid , tropical areas such as its native region in Mexico and the southwesterly parts of North America .
In less humid region , it requires more sun .
The sun aid bring out the colouration in the bracts and leaves .
Too much Lord’s Day bleaches the colors .
It ’s winter hardy to USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11 .
The roots may survive in USDA zone 8 if protect from freezing temperature with a layer of mulch .
In cool region , maturate the works indoors behind glass .
It should pick up moderate sun throughout the day .
If direct outside in a cool part , bring it indoors for the winter .
It can not survive temperatures below 45 ° degrees Fahrenheit ( 7 ° C ) .
Watering and Feeding
The Mexican shrimp industrial plant is drought - broad and low alimony .
Water it occasionally throughout the summer and evenfall .
During the winter , it only needs water when the leaves start to droop .
Fertilizer is n’t needed at any sentence of the yr .
Soil and Transplanting
rise the plant in well - run out sandy or loamy dirt .
Transplanting is n’t necessary for matured plant .
However , younger flora may occasionally need a larger pot as the root system get .
Transplant in the spring before moving the plant back outdoors .
Grooming
relate : The Persian Shield plant belongs to the Acanthaceae kinfolk too . How do you acquire it outside?Persian shields like a warm and humid surroundings , partial shade and well - draining soil . They can be grown outdoors in USDA zones 9 - 11 . More onPersian carapace deal here .
How to Propagate Mexican Shrimp Plant
Propagate Justicia brandegeeana using stem film editing or division .
The division of lump put up the easiest root for propagate outdoor plants .
sectionalisation also works for potted plants and helps prevent the Mexican half-pint plant from becoming pot bound .
Mexican Shrimp Plant Pest or Disease Problems
If the leaves originate to drop , the soil may be too wet or ironic .
The works may also suffer from periodic plague from whitefly orspider soupcon .
care for these pests with neem oil insecticide ( Amazon ) or take the works outdoors and spray it with cold H2O .
get word Oil Insecticide Recipeoptions .
Along with pests and disease , concern must be used when pick out a positioning for the works .
It ’s see invading in several neighborhood in North America , admit part of Florida and Texas .
When left to grow outdoors , it may catch other plants and continue to spread .
Check the invasive position before found outdoors or grow as a potted houseplant .
Suggested Justicia Brandegeeana Uses
The Mexican shrimp plant lend a bushy mound of violent , white , and unripe growth .
uprise it outdoors to add color to the landscape painting or keep it in a quite a little on the porch where it has tidy sum of space to spread .
