How do I make my shrimp plant bloom more?

Provide bright, indirect light and prune the tips back after each flowering cycle.

Can I grow this plant outdoors?

Yes, if you live in a frost free climate, or you can move it outdoors during the summer.

Plant guide

Shrimp plant.

Justicia brandegeeana

Pronounced jus-TEE-see-uh bran-deh-jee-AH-nuh

Also known as Honolulu-salvia, Mexican shrimp-plant, Shrimp plant, Shrimpplant, false hop, shrimp-plant, shrimpbush

The shrimp plant is a charming tropical shrub known for its unique, drooping flower spikes that look just like little shrimp. It is a fantastic choice if you want to add a bit of whimsy to your indoor garden or patio. These plants bloom almost constantly when they are happy.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Light: Bright indirect light with some morning sun.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 5 to 7 days
Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall.
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Spring to autumn

Care

Keep your plant in a warm spot with plenty of light to encourage those colorful bracts. If you notice the stems getting leggy, go ahead and pinch them back to keep the plant bushy. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil is staying too wet.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back stems regularly to maintain a compact shape and encourage more blooms.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot once the roots begin to circle the bottom.
Soil: Well draining, peat based potting mix.
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 30°C
Humidity: 50 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non toxic to humans, but ingestion is not recommended.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep out of reach of small children to prevent accidental ingestion of plant parts.
Contact allergens: The stems and leaves may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should be kept away from food preparation areas.

How to identify it

Arching spikes of overlapping reddish bracts
Small white flowers emerging from bracts
Soft, oval shaped green leaves
Stems that can become woody over time

Height: 0.6 to 1.2m
Spread: 0.6 to 0.9m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: white, red, yellow, 2 to 4cm

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
WhiteflyCommon
Leaf DropUncommon
MealybugsUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, early summer
Overwintering: Bring containers indoors before the first frost. Keep the plant in a bright location and reduce watering during the winter months.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is at least 25 centimeters wide.

Stem Cuttings

1. Take a 10 centimeter cutting from a healthy stem.
2. Remove the lower leaves.
3. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
4. Place in moist potting mix.
5. Cover with plastic to maintain humidity until roots form.

Group this plant with other shade loving tropicals to create a humid microclimate.

Grows well with

Coleus · They share similar light and moisture requirements for container displays.
Impatiens · These plants provide a nice color contrast in shaded garden beds.

Similar species

Golden Shrimp Plant · It has a similar growth habit but features bright yellow bracts.

Science

Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Justicia
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Mexico
Conservation: This plant is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in its native range.

It grows in the understory of tropical forests where it benefits from dappled light.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: hummingbirds, butterflies
Uses: container plant, border plant, indoor accent

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How do I make my shrimp plant bloom more?: Provide bright, indirect light and prune the tips back after each flowering cycle.
Can I grow this plant outdoors?: Yes, if you live in a frost free climate, or you can move it outdoors during the summer.

Where the name comes from

The genus name honors the Scottish botanist James Justice, while the species name commemorates the plant collector Townsend Brandegee.

Good to know

The actual flowers are small and white, emerging from the showy, shrimp like bracts.
It is a popular choice for hanging baskets in warmer climates.
The plant thrives when pruned regularly to encourage bushier growth.
It was once a very popular houseplant in the mid twentieth century.

Keep your shrimp plant growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.