Justicia brandegeana, also known as the Mexican shrimp plant, shrimp plant, or false hop, is a native Mexican shrub also popular in Florida.
The plant’s nickname comes from the shrimp-like shape of the bronze flowers that grow around its exterior.
The plant blooms annually, continuously replacing its white flower heads with new growth.
The shrimp plant was named after an American botanist named Townshend Stith Brandegee, and the actual spelling of the plant is “Justicia brandegeeana.”
However, you’ll see it spelled “brandegeana” in modern literature and advertising.
Quick Facts On Justicia Brandegeana
- Family: Acanthaceae
- Light: Bright indirect sunlight
- Temperature: 55° to 70° Fahrenheit
- Water: 1-2 times a week in summer, damp soil in winter
- Fertilizer: Feed throughout summer, reduce food by half in winter
- Propagation: Cuttings from side shoots
- Common Problems: Root rot, scales, mealybugs, spider mites, aphids
Justicia Brandegeana Care
The Mexican shrimp plant is easy to grow and will tolerate the occasional forgetful owner as long as it has enough sunlight, mild temperature, and the soil doesn’t get bone dry.
With proper care, the plant can grow for many years with continuous blooming every season.
How Big Does A Mexican Shrimp Plant Grows?
It’s best to keep a Justicia Brandegeana trimmed to around 12″ inches tall since this height encourages the most flowering activity.
However, when left to grow in the wild, Justicia Brandegeana will grow to almost 40″ inches tall and anywhere from 2′ to 5′ feet wide.
When Does Mexican Shrimp Plant Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
The main allure of the Mexican shrimp plant is the look of its flowers rather than the fragrance.
In fact, these plants aren’t fragrant, and each bloom only lasts for a short time before additional growth creates a new flower.
The flowers on a Justicia Brandegeana vary from a copper or bronze hue to pale pink, and all of these colors exist simultaneously on the plant, which creates a vibrant rainbow of color.
When kept tightly groomed, the plant will produce flowers all year.
What Are the Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
Justicia Brandegeana plants tolerate some neglect but won’t fare well if the temperature gets too cold or hot.
Therefore, it’s best to bring the plant inside when temperatures fall below 50° degrees Fahrenheit in the winter or rise above 75° degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.
As long as the plant sits in bright, indirect sunlight at temperatures that range from 55° to 70° degrees Fahrenheit, the shrimp plant grows easily and even thrives with moderate neglect.
Excellent placement is a bright window where the plant won’t receive too much direct light.
The plants are also tolerant of placement in the middle of a large room, as long as the windows are large enough to give the plant enough indirect sunlight.
When placed outdoors, a potted Justicia Brandegeana fares well on a porch that doesn’t get direct sunlight for more than a few hours.
However, it’s essential to consider the ambient temperatures when putting a potted shrimp plant outside.
How And When To Water And Fertilize Mexican Shrimp Plant?
Justicia Brandegeana enjoys well-draining soil in a moist environment, so a bathroom or a wall with other plants is a good idea. Putting multiple plants in the same room creates a naturally humid climate. You may place the pot on a plate of water-covered pebbles to moisten the soil.
If you live in a naturally dry environment, your shrimp plant will need extra attention from the watering can. They appreciate frequent feeding with a liquid-based plant food solution during summer.
In the winter, reduce feedings to about half or eliminate them altogether.
What Is the Best Soil for Justicia Brandegeana, And When Should You Transplant?
Justicia Brandegeana likes well-draining soil and enjoys a fresh coat of topsoil each spring.
They are most comfortable in humid environments rather than deserts or dry places.
They also respond well to repotting each year due to the aeration of the soil during the process.
Although some people treat the plant like an annual, the plants can live for many years, which means repotting should occur at some point.
The best time to transplant is in the spring; the plants will live for many years when repotted regularly.
Does Justicia Brandegeana Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
As long as the primary growing requirements for Justicia Brandegeana are met (light, water, soil), they don’t need any usual grooming or maintenance.
However, pruning the plant so the height remains about 12″ inches encourages flowering.
Compact shrimp plants grow more flowers than large, leggy plants.
The plants also appreciate yearly pruning and flower more often when grooming.
How To Propagate Mexican Shrimp Plants?
Side shoots from your Justicia Brandegeana are appropriate for propagation, and you can use the cuttings you get from yearly pruning to make new plants.
Here’s how to do it:
- Take around 4 or 5 cuttings from the plant, ensuring that at least two of the stems are on the strong side.
- Remove the leaves from the lower parts of the stems and dip the cuttings in rooting powder.
- Then, place the cuttings in a small four-inch pot with rich potting soil.
- After watering thoroughly, place a plastic bag with a few ventilation holes over the entire plant until the roots are established.
False Hop Pests And Diseases
Justicia Brandegeana doesn’t have significant insect problems, but they may attract scale or spider mites.
These pests put holes in the leaves and suck the plant dry. If leaves start to turn brown and drop to the ground, the plant may have tiny spider mites.
A strong stream of water can help treat the plant.
Justicia Brandegeana may occasionally develop root rot, but it’s easy to prevent by avoiding overwatering the plants.
Shrimp plants enjoy moist soil but shouldn’t sit in a saturated pot. Instead, test the soil every so often to maintain a moist environment rather than a wet one.
Is The Justicia Brandegeana Considered Toxic or Poisonous to People, Kids, or Pets?
Justicia Brandegeana isn’t dangerous to people, children, and pets. They aren’t known to cause any allergies in humans and are a pet-safe plant for your home.
Is The Justicia Brandegeana Considered Invasive?
The shrimp plant is invasive in some parts of the south and across Florida and Texas.
Conservationists recommend keeping them as indoor potted plants because they can overtake native foliage without regular grooming when left to grow outside.
Suggested Justicia Brandegeeana Uses
The Justicia Brandegeana is an excellent plant to place in a pot in your home, on the deck or on the porch.
They thrive in a potted environment and aren’t vulnerable to yearly pruning.
In addition, their frequent blooms make them an excellent houseplant when you want some color amongst all the green of your other houseplants.
Due to the possibility of Justicia Brandegeana spreading and becoming invasive, it’s important to avoid planting them outside unless you can maintain them properly.
They attract some butterflies’ larvae, which may indicate they offer some benefit to the environment.
However, it’s important to remain cautious when planting Justicia Brandegeana outside.