The runt plant is an slow - grow recurrent shrub native to Mexico . The prawn plant needs very petty attention ; just give it fertile , well - drain dirt and afternoon shade , and it will grow to 36 inches in meridian and bloom as long as the weather is warm . When it come to pruning the shrimp plant there are two schools of thought : those that say it needs cut back and those that say it does n’t . Overall , it depends upon the clime in which the industrial plant is grow . If you live in a cold climate , the plant will die back in the late surrender or early winter and commence again in the spring . For those in mild climate , the plant may get tall-growing and overgrown and need a little thinning .
Step 1
During the arise season , pinching the tips of the plant will encourage it to grow in the frame you require . filch back 4 or 5 inches immediately above a leaf node ( where the leafage bring together the stem ) .
Step 2
Pruning should begin with withdraw any dead or damaged stems from the prawn plant . see for pest - infested or diseased branches , and transfer those as well .
Step 3
Prune away any crossed stems to allow melody to flow through the plant .
Step 4
Cut the plant back about one - third its sizing to advance it to grow bushier .
Prune A Shrimp Plant
A fast - originate tropic native , runt plant is well tip - pruned or pruned back sternly , depending on the time of class . Two plants share the usual name " prawn plant , " have a go at it botanically Justicia brandegeana or Pachystachys lutea ( icteric half-pint works ) . Determine which branches or staunch ask cut back . If the entire shrimp plant is with child and disobedient , think about the sizing the plant should be after pruning is complete . repress all stems as in Step 2 until the entire works size cope with your demand . keep off cutting back too deeply into semi - woody stems , as it will take longer for the shrimp plant to regrow and then heyday . cut back the new growth ’s root , if ask , to keep the plant uniform in shape as it rejuvenate .
Warning
Do n’t prune your half-pint plant in the spring , as they bloom on new growth and you may inhibit its power to blossom . Prune in belated February or early March .
