Product Review
Justicia brandegeana 'Fruit Cocktail' Quick growing perinneal with unusual shrimp shaped flowers in a less common color combo of golden lime with rose pink petals. Great for butterfly gardens and also attracts hummingbirds. Hardy to zone 8B
- Justicia is a large genus of flowering plants in the Acanthaceae plant family. It holds nearly 1000 accepted species with native ranges throughout tropical to temperate regions of India, Africa, North and South America. Most cultivated species are evergreen, tropical to subtropical perennial plants and shrubs, and are primarily grown for their nectar-rich, bright colored, and often odd or tubular-shaped flowers.
- Plants in the Justicia brandegeana species are prized for their unique flower clusters that resemble a shrimp in shape. Fruit Cocktail is a fairly recent select cultivar that is somewhat lower and slower growing than the average and nearly always topped with bright golden lime colored bracts with small pinkish-red tufts of petals. These bright, cheerful plants work great in mixed perennial beds, borders, pots, or any other spot where you want a mass of continuous color.
- Care: Easy to grow and quick to establish, this plant thrives in a lightly shaded location. Plant in fertile, well-draining soil and maintain consistent moisture. Prune after flowering to maintain shape and control size.
- Indoor Growing: This species is not well-suited for indoor growing and can be difficult to successfully overwinter due to its need for high light, warm temperatures with a day/night differential, and high humidity. It is best enjoyed as a seasonal container plant and brought indoors only for the briefest time necessary to protect it from frost or freezing.
- Climate: Shrimp Plant is a tropical plant that is best suited for outdoor growing in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11. It will not tolerate freezing temperatures and must be protected from frost in colder climates.
