Consulta Plantas

Care of the shrub Pachystachys lutea or Lollipop plant

The genus Pachystachys, family Acanthaceae, includes about 12 species of herbaceous plants and shrubs native to tropical regions of the American continent. Some species are: Pachystachys lutea, Pachystachys coccinea, Pachystachys spicata, Pachystachys incarnata.

Common names: Lollipop plant, Golden shrimp plant. This species is native to Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Central America.

They are evergreen shrubs that reach 50 cm (19.68") in height. The lanceolate leaves are dark green with raised veins on the underside. The showy inflorescences have yellow or orange bracts and white flowers. They bloom in summer.

Lollipop plant is used in pots as indoor, greenhouse and terrace plants. In tropical and subtropical climates it's used to form groups and in clear understory.

Pachystachys lutea needs a semi-shade exposure receiving direct sun in the early hours of the day or late in the afternoon. It does not resist temperatures below 10 ºC (50 ºF).

The soil can be a mixture of equal parts normal garden soil and humus with a little coarse sand.

Water regularly in summer so that the substrate never dries completely (do not flood). The rest of the year wait until the soil has dried completely.

Fertilize in summer every 30 days with mineral fertilizer.

Prune lightly in early spring to maintain a compact demeanor.

Pachystachys lutea is a quite resistant plant to the usual pests and diseases.

Lollipop plant is propagated by cuttings in spring or early summer. Plants should be renewed every 2-3 years because they lose their attractiveness.

Images of the shrub Pachystachys lutea or Lollipop plant