Shrimp Plant adds Color and Texture to Late Summer

Shrimp Plant, Sept. 2014

The Shrimp Plant (Justicia brandegeana) is native to Mexico, and well adapted for the conditions of Texas gardens!

I first acquired this plant as a “bonus” — a discounted price due to poor condition. It is very easy to grow:  provide full sun, water, and just wait for the salmon-colored flowers with parts that resemble clumps of shrimp.

With an above average amount of rain, and below average temperatures this year (Spring and Summer), the Shrimp plant is absolutely flourishing and creating brilliant colors (compared to the faded colors observed during the drought).

Shrimp Plant, Sept. 2014

These plants grow in clumps. I’ve not tried to propagate by seed, and it hasn’t shown up as a volunteer any where nearby so I dug up a clump and found that while there were no observable bulbs or tubers, there were multiple stems with individual root systems. I gently pulled apart the root mass and now have five clumps of Shrimp plant.

This is definitely carefree and, in my gardens, it generates these interesting blooms from late summer through frost.