Justicia carnea

RHS Plant Profile
Brazilian plume

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Other common names

flamingo plant, king's crown, paradise plant, plume flower, plume plant

Synonyms

Cyrtanthera magnifica, Jacobinia 'Carnea', Jacobinia carnea, Jacobinia magnifica, Jacobinia magnifica var. carnea, Jacobinia magnifica var. pohliana, Jacobinia magnifica var. velutina, Jacobinia pohliana, Jacobinia pohliana var. velutina, Justicia pohliana

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An upright, tender evergreen tropical shrub, reaching 2m in height in the right growing conditions, with lush, dark green foliage, purple on the undersides. Plumes of bright pink flowers appear in abundance from mid-summer onwards. A lush and colourful shrub for giving your garden a tropical feel

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Acanthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Justicia can be evergreen perennials or shrubs, with simple leaves and spikes or clusters of tubular, 2-lipped flowers often with conspicuous bracts
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Brazil

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in bright, indirect light in peat-free, loam-based soil. Will tolerate partial shade. Feed regularly during the growing season using a balanced fertiliser and pinch out or prune accordingly to encourage bushy growth. Protect from frost and move outdoor plants to a frost-free area in a cool and bright location. Water regularly in dry spells but avoid waterlogging. Repot container grown plants every 1 to 2 years

Propagation

Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings in spring or early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Trim lightly in early spring, before new growth starts. Remove dead or yellowing leaves throughout the season to maintain shape and encourage bushy growth. Can be hard-pruned in spring for rejuvination of mature or neglected specimens. See pruning group 5 for further advice

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

Generally disease-free. Leaves may become contorted in very dry conditions