The shrimp plant has its origin in Mexico and is a tropical plant that has many species, although only the so-called guttata can be grown indoors. Its scientific name is Beloperone and it has other common names such as chuparrosa, indoor hops or eat me. It belongs to the Acantáceas family and its cultivation is very simple, so it is a great option to decorate any environment as it is very beautiful and original. If you want to know everything about Shrimp plant care, don’t miss this article.
Shrimp plant care guide
Environment : Shrimp plants will tolerate most atmospheres, but enjoy good ventilation.
Cleaning: unnecessary. Remove dead bracts by pinching them with your thumb and index finger.
Feeding: Use standard liquid fertilizer once every two weeks from late winter to early fall only, but then stop feeding to slow growth.
Humidity: Shrimp plants enjoy humidity. Never spray on its head when it is in flower, as this will cause the bracts to rot.
Light: Some direct sunlight is essential for the successful production of the colorful bracts. When resting in winter, place the plant away from the window.
Propagation: Tip cuttings 5 to 7.5 cm long will root easily in the spring. Place each cut into a small pot containing a moistened mixture of equal parts peat and coarse sand. Rooting should occur in 6 to 8 weeks.
Pruning: trim back to a neat shape in spring, cut down to 2.5 – 5 cm and allow the plant to start over.
Temperature: no more than 24 ° C, as excess heat produces soft, skinny growth. Better to keep them cooler when resting in winter: 7 ° C is enough.
Water: water in moderation – enough so that the potting mix is barely moistened and allows the top two-thirds of the mix to dry between waterings
How is the shrimp plant?
This tropical shrub is evergreen and blooms throughout the year, so it is widely used for its large ornamental size.
This plant is one of the sixty tropical evergreen shrubs of Central America that belong to the Acanthaceae family. The name comes from the Greek belos, an arrow, and perone, a link, and refers to the arrow shape of the leaves. Only one species, Beloperone guttata, which comes from Mexico and was introduced as recently as 1936, is commonly grown as a houseplant. It is popularly known as the shrimp plant because the dull pink bracts that protect the white flowers resemble the body of a shrimp.
Its inflorescences from a spike in the shape of a shrimp that makes them very attractive, and it is convenient to put tutors when it begins to grow a lot since it becomes a climber and is much more spectacular. Although it is very leafy, it does not need a very large pot.
Main Shrimp plant cares
The main care of this plant is:
Location: it needs to be in a very well lit place, and it can withstand a couple of hours a day in direct sunlight and keep your home looking fresh and appealing. If it is outdoors, during the summer it is better to be in a semi-shady area.
Irrigation: in the hottest time of the year you should water abundantly but without puddling, while in the cold season you have to water the essentials so that the soil does not dry out, but with very little amount.
Pests and diseases: if it is not properly cared for, it can be attacked by spider mites and aphids.
Multiplication: it has to be done in spring and by cuttings, cutting them about 10 centimeters and removing a few bracts so they can root better.
Transplant: there is no limit, but let it be during the spring.
Pruning: it will only need training pruning so that it takes the path that you want.
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