Justicia brandegeeana is an evergreen shrub in the genus Justicia of the family Acanthaceae. Justicia genus contains over 400 tropical species and was named after James Justice, a Scots gardener and author of a 1754 book, British Gardener’s Directory. Shrimp Plant is native to Mexico, and also naturalized in Florida. The species is named after the American botanist Townshend Brandegee. It is easy to grow. The exotic, interesting flowers bloom continuously in frost-free areas. It is not bothered by pests.

Justicia brandegeeana in clumps of delicate, twiggy stems that grow up to 120 cm tall by 60–80 cm wide. Shrimp Plant is evergreen in mild climates, and blooms almost continuously. The leaves are oval, green, 3-6 cm long. The flowers are white, extending from red bracts a bit like a shrimp, where the shrub’s common name came. The branching stems are tipped by 15 cm drooping spikes of dark red to rusty brown bracts, each bract enclosing a tongue like white flower. The stems and leaves are downy.The bracts start out white, but with sun exposure they turn anywhere from pale pink to deep salmon. Flowers emerge from the bracts; usually they are long, thin, and white with speckled maroon throats. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Justicia brandegeeana thrives in the shade in tropical areas. It does best in well-drained sandy, fertile soil, but is generally low maintenance and drought-tolerant. It is best grown under glass in cooler areas, as a house pot plant, owing to its ability to tolerate low light and some neglect. Shrimp Plant should be watered well generously in hot weather to keep plant looking fresh. It is killed to the ground by frost but usually recovers quickly when warm weather returns.

The shape is generally long and spindly. If trimmed back regularly, it can maintain a bushy habit and will not need support. If the branches are allowed to grow long, they will become unable to support themselves and bend towards the ground.

Justicia brandegeeana’s many cultivars are available, with different flower bract colors, including yellow, pink, green and dark brick-red. It can be propagated by stem cuttings in spring or by division of clumps.

Use In Landscape: Shrimp Plant may be used in mixed perennial beds and borders, wherever a mass of continuous color wanted. They bloom almost all year long in warm climates. Also it is a great subtropical plant for sheltered locations and on the coast. Makes fine foundation planting under arbors and awnings. Bushes tip should be pruned to promote bushiness and increase flowering. In cool climates, shrimp plant is grown in a container, and to be brought indoors in winter.

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a formal appearance, shear annually after flowering.