Garden Care Guide

Shrimp Plant Care

Justicia brandegeana (syn. Beloperone guttata)

A shrub of tropical origin grown for its showy, shrimp-like flowers. It likes bright places without direct sun and well-drained soil; it gains a bushier form with regular pruning.

Frost-tender (protect from frost) · 2 °C / 36 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Every 15-20 days (when the top of the soil is thoroughly dry), 0.3-0.5 L depending on pot size.
  • Pruning: Remove only dry and diseased branches.
  • Plant protection: Usually not required, but check for mealybugs on plants brought indoors.
  • General care: Keep it in a bright place sheltered from cold drafts and frost.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for mealybugs (cottony insects).
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
February
  • Watering: Every 10-15 days (check soil moisture).
  • Pruning: At the end of the month, before new growth starts, prune the plant back by one third to encourage a fuller form.
  • General care: After pruning, move the plant to a brighter location to encourage new shoot growth.
  • Pests & diseases: Carry out a general condition check.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
March
  • Watering: Once a week (when the topsoil starts to dry), 0.5-0.7 L.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • Pruning: If not done at the start of the month, this is the last chance for the main pruning.
  • Plant protection: Check whether there are aphids on the new shoots.
  • General care: The best time for repotting. You can propagate by taking cuttings from pruned branches.
  • Pests & diseases: Monitor the fresh shoots for aphids and whiteflies.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: Continue half-strength liquid fertilizer every 15 days.
  • Pruning: Encourage more branching by pinching off the tips of the new shoots.
  • Plant protection: If needed, use neem oil or a suitable insecticide against aphids.
  • General care: After the risk of frost has passed, you can move the pot outdoors to a semi-shaded area.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see leaf spot, pick off the affected leaves and avoid overwatering.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Continue half-strength liquid fertilizer every 15 days.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Check the undersides of leaves for whiteflies and red spider mites.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see whiteflies (white insects that fly up when leaves are touched), hang yellow sticky traps.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: You can switch to a potassium-rich liquid fertilizer for flowering plants every 15 days.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Hot and dry weather increases the risk of spider mites; increase humidity by spraying the leaves with water.
  • General care: Protect it from the harsh midday sun, which causes leaf scorch.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for signs of spider mites (fine webbing and discoloration on the leaves).
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing every 15 days.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for spider mites and whiteflies; use a suitable miticide/insecticide if necessary.
  • General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
  • Pests & diseases: If the soil stays constantly wet, the risk of root rot increases; make sure drainage is good.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Continue the checks.
  • General care: Carry out a general cleaning and maintenance before moving the plant to its winter location.
  • Pests & diseases: Carry out general pest control.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Reduce to once a month.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Before bringing the plant indoors, spray it against pests (e.g., neem oil).
  • General care: When night temperatures begin to fall below 10 °C, move the pot indoors or to a sheltered area.
  • Pests & diseases: To avoid carrying pests indoors, check the potting soil and the plant thoroughly.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: At the start of the month, make the last fertilizer application and stop.
  • General care: Place the plant in its permanent winter position. Choose a bright spot away from drafts.
  • Pests & diseases: A change of environment can stress the plant; leaf drop is normal.
November
  • Watering: Every 10-15 days (soil should be quite dry).
  • General care: Wipe the dust off the leaves regularly with a damp cloth.
  • Pests & diseases: Monitor for indoor pests (mealybugs, spider mites).
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
December
  • Watering: Every 15-20 days.
  • Pruning: Remove only dry branches.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Pests & diseases: Heated environments dry the air and increase the risk of spider mites.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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