Description
Justicia brandegeana — Red Shrimp Plant
Meet a plant that turns heads from across the patio. Justicia brandegeana, often called Red Shrimp Plant, stacks warm red bracts like little shrimp and threads soft, pale flowers through the layers. The look is playful. The care is simple. And the color lasts far longer than a quick bloom. In other words, you get steady cheer without the stress.
This is the plant we reach for when we want bold color in a small space. It shines in containers, on porches, and by sunny windows. Let’s explore how to make it thrive with you.
Why We Love Red Shrimp Plant
We love plants that work hard for us. This one delivers.
- Months of display. The bracts hold their color even between flower flushes.
- Compact and tidy. It fills a pot but rarely outgrows the space.
- Easy-care nature. A bright spot and even moisture are enough.
- Pollinator appeal. Hummingbirds and butterflies will swing by.
- Great indoors or out. It adapts to windows, patios, and warm beds.
Instead of waiting for a short bloom, you enjoy a long, glowing show. The red bracts keep the party going.
What It Looks Like
Picture a soft green shrub topped with stacks of burnished red bracts. From those bracts peek slender, pale flowers that curl and twist. The leaves are oval, medium green, and lightly veined. Stems branch nicely with a little pinch.
- Height: About 2–4 feet with good light, often shorter in a pot.
- Width: Around 2–3 feet, dense and lush when pinched.
- Form: Upright at the center, rounded at the edges, naturally bushy.
The overall look is warm, textured, and joyful. Even one plant changes the mood of a space.
Light Made Easy
Light is simple here: bright is best.
- Indoors: Place near a south or east window. Aim for bright, indirect light with a splash of gentle sun.
- Outdoors: Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal. In peak summer, hot late-day sun can scorch leaf tips.
If stems stretch or leaves thin, it’s asking for more light. Move it closer to the window or shift the pot to brighter morning sun. Small tweaks make a big difference.
Watering: Steady Wins
Red Shrimp Plant likes even moisture. Not soggy. Not bone-dry. Steady.
- Check: Touch the top inch of soil. If it’s dry, water.
- Water well: Let water flow through the drain hole. Then empty the saucer.
- Avoid extremes: Staying wet for days can tire roots. Swinging bone-dry can dull bracts.
Humidity helps, too. Average home humidity works, but a pebble tray under the pot or a light mist now and then keeps leaves happy.
Soil & Potting
Choose a potting mix that drains well but still holds a little moisture.
- Mix: A peat or coco base with perlite works great.
- Pot: Any container with a drainage hole. Clay breathes. Plastic holds moisture longer.
- Repotting: Every 12–18 months or when roots circle. Step up just one size.
Refresh the mix when you repot. Fresh media supports stronger color and cleaner growth.
Feeding for Color
We feed lightly and often during the active season.
- Spring–Summer: Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at half strength every 3–4 weeks.
- Fall–Winter: Slow down or pause if growth slows.
- Clues it’s hungry: Smaller bracts, pale leaves, or sluggish growth.
A steady trickle beats a heavy dump. Your plant will respond with richer color and tighter branching.
Pruning = More Bracts
Pruning is easy and pays off fast.
- Pinch tips on new shoots at 6–8 inches to encourage branching.
- Deadhead spent bracts and thin stems as needed.
- Shape after a bloom wave to keep it compact and full.
Instead of one tall stem, you get a rounded mound with multiple red “shrimp” all at once.
Outdoor Use & Overwintering
In warm climates, Red Shrimp Plant is a reliable, low-stress accent along paths and patios. In cooler zones, it shines in containers you can move.
- Climate fit: Best outdoors year-round in warm zones; elsewhere, treat as a seasonal container or houseplant.
- Before cool nights: Bring pots inside when nights dip below 50°F.
- Inside care: Bright window, lighter watering, and less feed.
- Back outside: After frost danger, reintroduce to sun slowly. A week of gentle morning sun prevents leaf scorch.
With this rhythm, one plant can live with you for years.
Pollinators & Patio Joy
The tubular flowers invite tiny visitors.
- Hummingbirds: Drawn to the form and color, they zip in for a quick taste.
- Butterflies: Expect curious stopovers on warm days.
- Bees: Occasional visits in outdoor settings.
In other words, your porch just got livelier.
Design Ideas We Love
This plant plays well with many styles. You can go bold or soft. Both work.
- Warm harmony: Pair with terra-cotta pots, bronze carex, and orange or apricot calibrachoa. The palette glows together.
- Color pop: Contrast with blue plumbago, purple angelonia, or silver licorice plant. Warm meets cool.
- Small-space star: One plant in a tall, narrow pot by the door. Clean lines, big welcome.
- Patio trio: Group three in matching containers at different heights. Repetition reads like design.
Instead of scattering color, cluster it. You’ll feel the impact from across the yard.
Simple Unboxing & First Week Care
We ship carefully. You set the stage.
- Unpack gently. Remove sleeves and support stakes.
- Water if dry. Moisten the root zone well, then drain.
- Acclimate to light. Start with bright, indirect light for a few days.
- Hold repotting. Wait a week before moving up a pot.
- Pinch lightly. A quick pinch reduces any travel stretch.
Give it a week, and you’ll see the bracts settle and the leaves perk up.
Troubleshooting at a Glance
Plants speak. Here’s what this one says—and how we answer.
- Leggy growth: Needs more light or a pinch. Move brighter and pinch tips.
- Leaf scorch or curl: Too much hot afternoon sun. Shift to morning sun.
- Faded bracts: Feed lightly and brighten the spot. Check watering rhythm.
- Droop after watering: Roots may be too wet. Improve drainage and let the top inch dry before watering again.
- Pests (rare but possible): If you see sticky leaves or webbing, rinse with lukewarm water and follow with insecticidal soap. Keep airflow moving.
Small changes bring quick results.
Propagation: Share the Color
Red Shrimp Plant roots well from softwood cuttings.
- Take a 4–6 inch stem tip just below a node.
- Strip lower leaves.
- Dip in rooting hormone (optional).
- Set into moist, airy mix. Keep warm and bright, not hot.
- Pot up when roots hold the cutting firmly.
Soon, you’ll have twins. Or gifts for friends.
Who This Plant Fits
- New plant parents: Forgiving and responsive.
- Busy homeowners: Color without constant care.
- Container gardeners: Performs in pots and planters.
- Indoor bloom lovers: Thrives near bright windows.
If you love reliable color, this is your plant. If you love compliments, it’s definitely your plant.
Quick Specs (At a Glance)
- Botanical name: Justicia brandegeana
- Common name: Red Shrimp Plant
- Habit: Compact, branching, floriferous
- Light: Bright indirect to gentle morning sun; protect from harsh late sun
- Water: Even moisture; never soggy
- Height/Spread: 2–4 ft tall, 2–3 ft wide with pinching
- Use: Containers, patios, sunny windows, warm borders
- Season: Long bract show in warm months; steady color indoors
- Bonus: Hummingbird- and butterfly-friendly
Care Calendar
- Spring: Repot if needed. Start light feeding. Pinch once for branching.
- Summer: Bright light and steady water. Enjoy the show.
- Fall: Reduce feed. Trim lightly. Prepare to move inside in cooler regions.
- Winter: Bright window, lighter watering. Hold heavy pruning until spring.
- Anytime: Remove spent bracts to keep it clean and blooming.
This simple rhythm keeps your plant strong and colorful.
Our Promise
We grow with care and ship with care. Plants leave us healthy, rooted, and ready to settle in at your home. We pack to protect. We include guidance that actually helps. And if you ever need support, we’re here. We garden with you, not at you.
Scarlet Layers, Everyday Delight
Color changes how a space feels. Red Shrimp Plant adds warmth, texture, and a bit of whimsy every single day. The care is easy. The payoff is big. And the style fits almost anywhere—porch, sunroom, or bright kitchen window.
So let’s set the pot, find the light, and watch those red “shrimp” stack up. We’ll grow it right. You enjoy the glow.
