Read this Lollipop Plant Growing and Care Guide for a pop of vibrant color in your home and garden with easy tricks.
Follow this Lollipop Plant Growing and Care Guide for expert tips and techniques for a thriving plant in your indoor garden.
Botanical Name: Pachystachys lutea
Common Names: Yellow Shrimp Plant, Lollypop Plant, golden candle, and Golden Shrimp Plant
USDA Zones: 10a-11b
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Lollipop Plant Profile
The Lollypop Plant (Pachystachys lutea) is a captivating perennial shrub from the Acanthaceae family. Its native habitat lies in the tropical regions of Central and South America, from El Salvador to Peru. With its eye-catching appearance, the Lollypop Plant stands out with its beautiful flowers with bright golden parts and small white flowers. These golden parts are grouped together in cone shapes on strong stems, making your garden look enchanting with colors. The mix of golden parts and green leaves makes the plant look elegant in any garden.
When grown indoors, the Lollypop Plant usually reaches a height of 1 to 2 feet. In contrast, outdoor planting in its natural habitat can make it grow up to 3 to 6 feet tall. It shows off broad, glossy leaves that grow opposite each other on the stem, creating a symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing foliage pattern.
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How to Grow Lollipop Plant
When to Plant Lollipop Plant
The best time to plant the golden shrimp or Lollipop Plant is in the warm months of spring or early summer. Don’t plant it during the colder months. The Lollipop Plant likes tropical weather and might have difficulty growing in colder temperatures.
By planting it during the warm months, it will have a good start and can adjust well and grow strong.
How to Propagate Lollipop Plant
You can grow Lollipop Plant using stem cuttings, division, or seeds. But the best and most recommended way is to use stem cuttings. This way, it has a better chance of growing roots and growing faster.
- Select healthy 4-6 inch stems with at least two sets of leaves during the active growth period in spring or early summer.
- Make clean cuts below a leaf node using sharp scissors or pruning shears.
- Trim the lower leaves from the Lollipop Plant stem, leaving a few at the top to keep moisture during propagation.
- Prepare a well-draining potting mix, like a blend of perlite and peat moss, in small pots or trays.
- Make a hole in the potting mix and insert the cut end of the stem about an inch deep.
- Press the soil gently around the stem.
- Water the cuttings thoroughly and let the excess water drain from the pots or trays.
- Place the pots in a warm, brightly lit area, avoiding direct sunlight.
- Maintain humidity by covering the pots with clear plastic bags or a transparent dome.
- Water the cuttings regularly, keeping the potting mix consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Be patient and wait for a week to a couple of months for root development.
- Once the roots are about 1-2 inches long, move the new plants into larger pots or the garden.
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Best Pot Size for Planting Lollipop Plant
Choose a pot that is about 6 to 8 inches wide – this will work well for a few years. Later on, when the plant gets bigger, move it to a slightly larger pot based on its size. Make sure the container has holes at the bottom for water to drain out easily.
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Ideal Growing Conditions for Lollipop Plant
Sunlight
Select a well-lit area for your Lollipop Plant, but make sure it doesn’t get direct sunlight for too long, as it can harm the leaves.
Place it close to a window facing north or east, or let it receive sunlight through a thin curtain. If you keep it outside, find a spot with some shade to protect it from strong sunlight.
Soil
Lollipop Plant thrives in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH. You can either use a readymade potting soil or make your own by blending equal parts of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. It’s important to avoid using alkaline soil, as it may cause the leaves to turn yellow. Providing the right soil conditions will help your Lollipop Plant grow healthy and vibrant.
Water
Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid making it waterlogged. Only water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. In warmer months, you may need to water it more frequently, but in winter, reduce the watering.
Temperature and Humidity
The Lollipop Plant thrives in temperatures ranging from 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). Do not expose it to temperatures below 60°F (15°C) as it is sensitive to the cold.
Maintain a moderate to high humidity level around the plant, ideally between 50% to 70%. You can boost the humidity by regularly misting the leaves or placing a tray with water and pebbles near the plant.
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Lollipop Plant Care
Fertilizer
Feed your Lollipop Plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 to 4 weeks in spring and summer when it’s actively growing. Mix the fertilizer with water to dilute it and avoid overfeeding, which could hurt the plant.
In fall and winter, when the plant grows slower, reduce or stop fertilizing altogether.
Re-Potting
When you see roots coming out of the drainage holes, it’s time to repot the Golden Shrimp plant.
Pruning
To keep your Lollipop Plant in good shape and encourage it to grow bushier, make sure to do regular pruning. Trim back any long or messy stems and pinch off faded flowers to help new ones bloom.
You can prune your plant any time of the year, but it’s most effective during the active growing season. This will allow the plant to bounce back quickly and continue to thrive. With proper pruning, your Lollipop Plant will look beautiful and healthy.
Pests and Diseases
Consider common pests like aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. If you spot any of these pests, take quick action by using neem oil or insecticidal soap to eliminate them. Follow the instructions on the product label.
Additionally, make sure that there is proper air circulation around the plant. This will help prevent the development of humid conditions that can lead to fungal diseases.