Flamingo Flower (Justicia carnea) – Flowering plants

Flamingo Flower (Justicia carnea) is a perennial, upright, evergreen shrub. It can reach up to 3 to 7 feet tall and wide. The large coarse leaves are about 8 inches long by 2 inches wide. Leaves are rich green and depending on the variety they are oblong and pointed on the end. Thick plumes of white, pale pink or deep pink tubular flowers appear in regular flushes from early summer to late autumn.

Scientific classification:

Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Justicia
Species: J. carnea

Scientific Name: Justicia carnea
Common Names: Brazilian plume flower, Brazilian plume, flamingo flower, Pink Jacobinia, Jacobinia, king’s crown, plume flower, and Flamingo Plant.

How to grow and maintain Flamingo Flower (Justicia carnea):

Light:
It thrives best in bright light and needs some direct sunlight to bloom.

Soil:
It grows best in moist, fertile, well-drained, good-quality all-purpose potting mix.

Water:
Water thoroughly spring through fall and allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. In winter, water sparingly but do not let it dry out completely.

Temperature:
It prefers average room temperatures 65°F – 75°F/ 18°C – 24°C. It will tolerate a minimum of 60°F/16°C in winter.

Humidity:
It requires 40% relative humidity or higher. If humidity drops in winter, use a cool-mist room humidifier to increase the moisture around it.

Fertilizer:
Fertilize once a month during spring through fall with high-phosphorous liquid fertilizer diluted by half. Do not feed in winter.

Propagation:
It can be easily propagated by cuttings. Take 10 cm stem tip cuttings in spring and insert them in moist potting mix.

Pests and Diseases:
Flamingo Flower has no serious insect or disease problems.