Guidelines for planting
Justicia brandegeana needs little care and handles neglect well. According to the UK gardening websites it only needs 2 hours of care per year. It also is drought tolerant and comes back when frost kills its upper portion of the plant, like a perinnial but it doesnt die after few years like one. It is a everblooming evergreen plant, that can grow in shade too.
Potting Steps
Step 1:
Get Seed, semi-hardwood cuttings, semi-ripe cuttings, or softwood cuttings
Step 2:
Use beds and borders, conservatory, containers in indoor and sub-tropical settings
Step 3:
After root germination has occurred after 4 weeks, plant in fertile, moist and well drained soil. It should be sheltered, frost free and in partial shade. Alternatively, the shade and moistness can be provided by planting under glass in a loam-based compost in full light.
Step 4:
Check water levels because excess water kills the plant. South , East or West sunlight and positions in and around the buildings are better suited.
Step 5:
When it blooms the white flower pick it up and taste it. The level of sweetness varies with the health of the plant. Also, if water is less the red shrimp plant starts to loose color to brownish tint.