Justicia flava — an easy houseplant, prefers partial sun light
SPECIMEN · FROM THE LIBRARY
Justicia flava

Justicia Flava

Updated · 51 observations
ON THIS PLANT

Justicia flava, commonly known as the yellow justicia or yellow shrimp plant, is a tropical perennial native to Central and South America. This plant belongs to the Acanthaceae family and can grow up to 3 feet tall. Its bright green, ovate leaves can reach up to 6 inches in length. The flowers are strikingly yellow and have a unique shrimp-like appearance, which is why the plant is often called the yellow shrimp plant.

Justicia flava thrives in well-draining soil with regular watering but can endure short droughts. It prefers full sun or partial shade and can be grown both indoors and outdoors.

This plant is popular for ornamental purposes due to its attractive, year-round blooms. Furthermore, Justicia flava has medicinal properties and has been traditionally used to treat various ailments such as fever, coughs, colds, and headaches.

In summary, Justicia flava is an easy-to-grow tropical perennial with appealing foliage and distinctive flowers. It makes an excellent addition to any garden or indoor space and offers medicinal benefits when needed.

A note from PlantMom

Yellow justicea is fairly disease-resistant and is usually not vulnerable to illnesses. In terms of care, this plant is fairly low-maintenance. When grown outdoors it needs only minimal watering, and larger specimens typically do not require pruning. Smaller plants, however, should be pruned after they have finished blooming. Yellow justiceat is suitable for anyone with outdoor space, such as a garden or a deck, and does not demand much prior experience in plant care.

— PlantMom
CARE GUIDE

How to keep Justicia Flava.

Light

Yellow justicea is native to habitats like forest understories or rocky areas, where it grows in natural shade. It prefers partial sun but can tolerate both full sun and full shade, demonstrating its versatile and hardy nature.

Water

Yellow justicia thrives in dry conditions and needs balanced watering, ideally every 2 to 3 weeks. As an evergreen, it keeps its foliage throughout the year and requires regular moisture, even during its dormant period in the colder months.

Temperature

Yellow justicea comes from tropical areas, where the climate is generally warm and humid. Consequently, it is suited to high temperatures and moisture. It does not tolerate abrupt temperature changes and prefers a steady temperature, so avoiding indoor temperature swings is important. It typically cannot withstand cold and needs warmer conditions to grow. If the surrounding temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

Fertilizer

The best time to fertilize a Yellow justicea is in early spring, as it comes out of dormancy. This encourages overall growth and flower development. Fertilizing improves the foliage, stems, and branches, and encourages large, vibrant, long-lasting flowers. It helps move nutrients from the roots to the flowers and enhances the plant’s health and resistance to disease.

Pruning

Yellow justicea showcases vibrant yellow blooms and benefits greatly from pruning in early spring. By removing dead branches, you promote healthy growth. Trimming new growth not only enhances flowering but also helps maintain a compact shape. Pruning improves air circulation and reduces the risk of disease, ultimately encouraging the plant to thrive.

CHARACTERISTICS

Botanical profile.

Plant Type
Shrub
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Justicia
Family
Acanthaceae
Hardiness Zone
9-11
Mature Height
46 cm
Mature Spread
30 cm to 61 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Semi-evergreen
Flower Color
Yellow
Flower Size
0.76 cm to 1.27 cm
Bloom Time
All year round
Planting Time
Spring, Summer
Harvest Time
All year round
Native Area
Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Somalia, Angola, Rwanda, Eritrea, Nigeria, Yemen, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Benin, Mali, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Liberia, Mozambique, Burundi, Ghana, Ethiopia, Botswana, Congo, Central African Republic, Saudi Arabia, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Sudan, Guinea, Chad, Myanmar, Togo, Senegal, Eswatini, Côte d'Ivoire, Congo (DRC)
ALSO KNOWN AS

Other names.

en Yellow justicia
FREQUENTLY ASKED

Reader questions.

What are the sun requirements for Yellow Justicia?

Yellow Justicia, also known as Justicia flava, thrives best when it receives the correct amount of sunlight. Full sun exposure, defined as more than 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, is essential for optimal growth. However, the plant can also tolerate partial sun conditions, which means about 3 to 6 hours of sunlight daily. It's important to observe the movement of sunlight through your garden to identify spots that offer a harmonious balance of light and shade, ensuring your Yellow Justicia plants remain healthy and happy.

What is Yellow justicea?

Yellow justicea, also known as Justicia flava, is a botanical species. The information provided does not include details on its essentials, symptoms, or any additional attributes related to Yellow justicea.

PLATES
Justicia flava leaf
PLATE 01 · leaf
Justicia flava leaf
PLATE 02 · leaf
Justicia flava flower
PLATE 03 · flower
Justicia flava flower
PLATE 04 · flower
Justicia flava bark
PLATE 05 · bark
Justicia flava bark
PLATE 06 · bark
ALSO IN THE LIBRARY

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