HOW TO GROW THE GOLDEN SHRIMP PLANT - Pachystachys lutea

How to grow the Golden Shrimp plant - Pachystachys lutea

The Golden Shrimp plant - Pachystachys lutea is a gorgeous, soft-stemmed evergreen from the subtropical regions of Peru and grown in Europe either as a houseplant or as summer bedding.

It produces, lush, heavily-veined, dark green leaves, but its most ornamental feature is the brightly coloured, thick-stemmed flowering body. The true flowers are the short-lived white blooms which emerge throughout the summer from the overlapping bright golden-yellow bracts.

How to grow the Golden Shrimp plant - Pachystachys lutea

The Golden Shrimp plant will grow best in most damp but well-drained soils so long as they are slightly acidic. If your soil is particularly alkaline or chalky then it can be improved by digging in moss peat, or sulphur based products such as Aluminium sulphate (used in hydrangea colourants) and Ferrous sulphate (sulphate of iron). Always use a pH tester to judge your results and note that clay soils have a natural buffering capacity so much more sulphur is needed to change their pH when compared to a sandy soil. For pot grown plants the solution is easy as you would simply use an acidic compost, usually sold as ericaceous compost in garden centres.

As a result of their subtropical origins, the golden shrimp plant will need to be kept in a position that receives as much light as possible, so position garden plants in full sun and house plants near a south facing window. Water frequently over the summer months and regularly mist with tepid water if humidity is low. Pot grown plants will require feeding with a liquid soluble fertiliser every week or so.

The golden shrimp plant will need little maintenance outside, but as they have the capacity to grow anywhere between 1-2 metres in both height and width favourable condition indoors can mean that they will outgrow their allotted space. Luckily, this plant will respond well to pruning, a task that is best carried out in the spring. Always cut back to just above a leaf node and is need be you can remove up to a third of the branches.

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