Wondering how to grow a golden shrimp plant indoors? This straightforward guide will teach you how to grow a golden shrimp plant indoors.
If you love tropical plants, you’re probably familiar with the Golden Shrimp plant. People often use this plant as a landscaping plant for tropical gardens, mainly because of its large, vibrant flower heads. These flower heads have a gorgeous golden hue, giving them a striking contrast against the plant’s deep green leaves. What’s more, these flower heads often produce delicate white flowers with purple-spotted tips. Who wouldn’t want these beautiful flowers growing in their garden?
You might have been disappointed before if gardeners have told you that these plants are only suited for growing outdoors. However, with the right care, pruning, water, and sunlight, Golden Shrimp plants will thrive indoors.
A Quick Insight into the Golden Shrimp Plant
The golden shrimp plant is also known by its scientific name, Pachystachys lutea. It is a beautiful indoor plant that originates from Central and South America. It gets its common name from the yellow and white bracts that surround its flowers, which resemble miniature shrimp. The golden shrimp plant is relatively easy to care for, making it a popular choice for indoor gardening.
The white flowers of the plant have a yellow stamen with two slender petals. While the flowers will only live for a few days, the flower heads will stay for a month or more. Because it’s perennial, you’ll need to repot your plant every spring to ensure that it stays healthy and vibrant. While Golden Shrimp plants are native to Peru’s subtropical region, they have become popular in Europe and the United States.
How Do I Grow a Golden Shrimp Plant Indoors?
The Golden Shrimp plant can be suitable for indoor growing if you’re patient when pruning. If appropriately tended, a fully mature Golden Shrimp plant is around 2-3 feet tall, making it perfect for indoor growing.
As Golden Shrimp plants age, they tend to become leggy. In other words, the plants are prone to becoming tall and spindly. However, you can train Golden Shrimp plants to grow short and wide. That way, they won’t take up a lot of space in your home.
There are two things you need to do to ensure your Golden Shrimp plant does not become leggy. First, prune the plant by cutting off dead bracts and trimming the branches regularly with sharp pruning shears. Cut off around one-third of the upper limbs to encourage new growth sideways. This kind of pruning will help maintain the plant’s full, bushy appearance. Second, when you’re adding fresh soil during the spring to encourage new blossoms, don’t increase your plants’ pot size. Keeping the pot size consistent will help restrict the overall growth of the plant.
What Conditions Should I Provide to Grow a Golden Shimp Plant Indoors?
A Golden Shrimp plant that receives the right growing conditions will thrive and bloom, regardless of where you plant it. So, even though people typically use the plant for outdoor landscaping, you can absolutely grow the plant indoors. In fact, if you live in a tropical area, growing Golden Shrimp plants inside will result in healthier, happier plants. In a tropical region, you can continuously provide the right growing conditions.
Light
Golden Shrimp plants love sunny, bright conditions, so place them in an area that receives plenty of morning sunlight. However, the afternoon sun (around 11 am onwards) can be too hot and harsh for the plant.
Water
Golden Shrimp plants require a lot of water, particularly during the summer months. Ensure you keep the soil continuously moist, as the plant cannot handle long periods of drought. When watering the plant, saturate the roots to around 6 inches below the surface.
If you’re busy, consider investing in self-watering planters. These containers will help ensure your Golden Shrimp plant doesn’t accidentally run out of water. If the plants dry out, you can revive them by quickly soaking the soil in water. However, ensure water can still drain out to prevent the plant from becoming waterlogged.
Soil
Since the Golden Shrimp plant is an ornamental, they grow best in slightly acidic, well-draining soil. The best type of soil is either loamy or sandy soil.
Temperature for Growing a Golden Shimp Plant Indoors
When considering how to grow a Golden Shrimp plant indoors, keep in mind that Golden Shrimp plants are tropical. Therefore, they do best in tropical temperatures. During the summer, keep the temperature above 60⁰F, and in the winter, keep the temperature above 55⁰F. Move the plant away from windows and air-conditioning vents to avoid drafts of cold air.
Humidity
Golden Shrimp plants prefer a humidity level of around 40%. The best way to provide the right environment is by placing a humidifier nearby. However, if you don’t want to use a humidifier, you can spray the leaves with water daily.
Fertilizer
While Golden Shrimp plants don’t require a lot of fertilizer, it can help the plant grow better, particularly in spring. You can spray the soil weekly with liquid fertilizer or add slow-release fertilizer pellets during the growing season. Make sure to read and follow the fertilizer’s instructions to ensure that your plant receives the right amount. Also, use a balanced fertilizer (NPK).
How can I Propagate my Golden Shrimp Plant?
Golden Shrimp plants are easy to propagate. All you need are cuttings from a mature plant. You can place them in a new pot with fresh garden soil, and you’re on your way. Also, consider adding a rooting hormone to help the cutting grow roots. The hormone will increase the chances of the plant taking root successfully.
Where can I get Golden Shrimp Plants?
Now that you know how to grow a Golden Shrimp plant indoors, you’re probably excited to start growing your own. Luckily, you can readily source the plant and Golden Shrimp plant seeds online and be ready to grow in no time!
