One of the well-known species amid the plant kingdom for landscaping, Golden Shrimp Plant is preferred nowadays by many growers. For both outdoor and indoor spaces, this houseplant adds a striking beauty and gives off positive vibes it’s around. It is also called Yellow Shrimp Plant and Lollipop Plant. Its scientific name is Pachystachys Lutea. Belonging to tropical and subtropical areas, this flowering plant is native to Peru and partially El Salvador.
General information
Golden Shrimp Plant is an evergreen and soft-branched shrub that has eye-pleasing flowers looking like a spike in general. When looked more closely at its inflorescence, yellow bracts typically are soft and have an unsymmetrical shape. Also, small white flowers that are short-lived protrude left and right from these yellow bracts. It usually blooms in spring and summer. But given its inputs properly, these yellow bracts stay throughout the four seasons. This tropical plant could reach up to 10 ft (3 m). In container growing, this length is relatively short. In addition to this, this plant is a perennial like Bush Lily and Flowering Maple. As a note, this houseplant’s toxicity level isn’t certainly known. According to its different cultivars, this toxicity level may change. For that reason, it isn’t clear if this plant is safe for pets for now.
How to Care for Pachystachys lutea
Sunlight
Too long hours of direct sunlight exposure may lead to scorching. For that reason, this flowering plant should stay in sheltered locations. West-facing windowsills or South-facing balconies could be appropriate.
Watering
Golden Shrimp Plant wants more water than other plants in warm months because of being a tropical plant. In cold months, it should be watered sparingly. In these times, it goes dormant.
Humidity
High humidity is proper for such plants. For that, you may use electronic humidifiers, wet pebble trays, and water sprays.
Temperature
The temperature tolerance for this houseplant is between 60°F – 75°F (15°C – 24°C). Below 50°F (10°C) temperature could hurt the plant. Specifically, cold drafts and unbalanced weather fluctuations may also be deadly. According to the USDA hardiness map, this flowering plant grows best in zones 10 and 11.
Soil Type
Peat-based soil mixed with perlite, vermiculte, compost could be a good item for this lant.
Planter Type
For shrubs, medium planters and large garden beds are ideal hosts. For example, you may plant it in a cinder block planter.
Fertilizer
Liquid, granular, slow-releasing, and quick-releasing fertilizers develop many plants when applied correctly. For this plant, you may administer water-soluble fertilizers once for 30 days.
Propagation
Stem cutting is a well-known plant propagating way. Clip stems with at least four leaves. Then share them per pot. Start their care until they germinate.
Repotting
Generally, these situations such as outgrown plants, crippled pots, and seedlings that are about to mature, repotting requires.
Common Problems
Discoloration of leaves: Plants go pales because they take fewer minerals, sometimes depletes many of them regarding many factors. Lack of light is also another reason. Without necessary light, chlorophyll isn’t active.
Root rot: Overwatering is the most common reason for this problem. Roots rot when excess water doesn’t go from the drainage holes.
Bug infestation: Mites, aphids, scales, thrips, whiteflies, red spiders, and so forth wreak havoc on plants when poor and dry conditions occur.
Suggestions for problems
To turn pale color to vivid back, you should detect the deficiency of minerals. After adding the necessary minerals, the plant will turn back to its rigidity. If lacking light causes this problem, you should put the potted plant in better spots. Root rots are no turning back. For that reason, you should adjust the watering routine correctly. When it comes to bug infestation, you may use neem oils and pesticides.
Suggestions for beginners
At first, you shouldn’t put the seedling outdoor. In such spaces, the plant will probably face harsh conditions which wouldn’t tolerate.
