Pachystachys lutea

Common name(s): Golden Candles, Golden Shrimp Plant, Lollipop Plant

Family: Acanthaceae
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Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington
Leaf
Leaves
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Flower
Flowers
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Flower
Flowers
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Bark
Bark
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Plant Properties
Origin(s)
Peru
  • Peru: Indigenous
Plant Type
Annual , Evergreen Shrub , Perennial
Annual,
Evergreen Shrub,
Perennial
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Tropical-Sub, Tropical
Tropical-Sub,
Tropical
Aspect Range(s)
Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light, Shade - Medium
Shade - Dappled,
Shade - Light,
Shade - Medium
Habitat Range(s)
Garden, Landscape, Rainforest - Sub-tropical, Rainforest - Tropical
Garden,
Landscape,
Rainforest - Sub-tropical,
Rainforest - Tropical
Habitat Zone(s)
Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Lakes / Dams / Swamps, Moist areas, Rivers / Creeks / Streams, Understory, Wind Protected
Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,
Lakes / Dams / Swamps,
Moist areas,
Rivers / Creeks / Streams,
Understory,
Wind Protected
Mature Height
900mm-1m, 1-1.5m
900mm-1m,
1-1.5m
Plant Shape
Bun - Narrow
Bun - Narrow
Bun - Narrow Bun - Narrow
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Life Span
2-5yrs
2-5yrs
Leaf Properties
Colour (front)
Glossy, Green
Glossy,
Green
Colour (back)
Green
Green
Shape(s)
Lanceolate
Lanceolate
Ovate
Ovate
Lanceolate Lanceolate,
Ovate Ovate
Aroma
None
None
Texture (front)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Veined
Veined
Glabrous Glabrous,
Veined Veined
Texture (back)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Glabrous Glabrous
Leaf Length(s)
80-90mm, 90-100mm, 100-125mm, 125-150mm
80-90mm,
90-100mm,
100-125mm,
125-150mm
Leaf Width(s)
30-40mm, 40-50mm, 50-60mm, 60-70mm, 70-80mm
30-40mm,
40-50mm,
50-60mm,
60-70mm,
70-80mm
Margin
Entire
Entire
Entire Entire
Cross Section(s)
Corrugated / Wavy
Corrugated / Wavy
Corrugated / Wavy Corrugated / Wavy
Venation(s)
Pinnate
Pinnate
Reticulate
Reticulate
Pinnate Pinnate,
Reticulate Reticulate
Apice(s)
Acute Broadly
Acute Broadly
Acute Broadly Acute Broadly
Base(s)
Cuneate
Cuneate
Obtuse
Obtuse
Cuneate Cuneate,
Obtuse Obtuse
Attachment
Petiolate
Petiolate
Petiolate Petiolate
Bark / Stem / Culm Properties
Colour(s) Upper
Green
Green
Trunk / Stem Construction(s)
Wood Fibres / Solid
Wood Fibres / Solid
Wood Fibres / Solid Wood Fibres / Solid
Wood - Soft
Wood - Soft
Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section
Terete
Terete
Terete Terete
Trunk / Stem Feature(s)
Branched
Branched
Trunk / Stem / Culm Diameter
10-15mm, 15-20mm
10-15mm,
15-20mm
Flower Properties
Gender: Bisexual
Time(s)
Spring Late - Summer Late
Flower Colour(s)
White
White
Flower Shape(s)
Bilabiate
Bilabiate
Tubulate
Tubulate
Bilabiate Bilabiate,
Tubulate Tubulate
Flower Size(s) Width
20-25mm
20-25mm
Aroma(s)
None
None
Arrangement(s)
Bract Spike
Bract Spike
Bract Spike Bract Spike
Arrangement Size(s)
90-100mm, 100-125mm
90-100mm,
100-125mm
Pollinator(s)
Birds, Butterflies
Birds,
Butterflies
Fruit Properties
Type
Capsule
Capsule
Capsule Capsule
Outer Colour(s)
Brown
Brown
Outer Texture
Papery
Papery
Papery Papery
Root Properties
Type
Fibrous
Fibrous
Fibrous Fibrous
Texture
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous Rough / Scabrous
Pliable , Stringy
Pliable,
Stringy
Colour(s)
Brown
Brown
Soil Properties
Type(s)
Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand, Hummus Rich, Organic Matter
Loam,
Sandy-loam,
Sand,
Hummus Rich,
Organic Matter
pH Range(s)
Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral
Acid,
Slightly Acid,
Neutral
Condition(s)
Moist
Moist
Moist Moist
Fertile , Deep , Shallow , Well Drained
Fertile,
Deep,
Shallow,
Well Drained
Salinities
None
None
None None
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
Poor
Poor
Bird Attraction
Nectar, Insect
Nectar,
Insect
Butterfly Attraction
Moderate
Moderate
Frog Habitat
None
None
Coastal
None
None
Edible(s)
None
None
Fire Regeneration(s)
Seed
Seed
Fire Retarding
Poor
Poor
Drought Tolerance
Poor
Poor
Frost Tolerance
Poor
Poor
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Smog Tolerant
Poor
Poor
Landscape Use
Moderate
Moderate
Street Use
None
None
Commercial Use(s)
None
None
Maintenance(s)
Pruning - Periodical
Pruning - Periodical
Pests/Diseases
Aphid, Mealy Bug, Scale, Slugs, Snails, Spider mite, White Fly
Aphid,
Mealy Bug,
Scale,
Slugs,
Snails,
Spider mite,
White Fly
Special Purpose(s)
Garden-Border Plant, Fire Retarding, Foliage-interesting, Garden-Bali, Garden-Flower, Garden-Foliage, Garden-Rainforest, Garden-Tropical, Hedge-formal, Playground Friendly, Pond Edge, Shade Tolerant, Shady Moist
Garden-Border Plant,
Fire Retarding,
Foliage-interesting,
Garden-Bali,
Garden-Flower,
Garden-Foliage,
Garden-Rainforest,
Garden-Tropical,
Hedge-formal,
Playground Friendly,
Pond Edge,
Shade Tolerant,
Shady Moist
Propagation
Soft Wood Cuttings

General Notes

Grown as an annual indoor plant in  temperate regions or a landscape plant in tropical regions, it makes a stunning display when planted enmasse. Flowering all year round in the tropics with bright golden yellow, 4 sided, bract spike with white flowers. To keep it compact and producing more flowers, regulary prune.

Propagation Notes

Soft Wood Cuttings
Flowering
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Cutting
Dec, Jan, Feb
Material Preparation

Cutting approximately 100 - 125mm long. Cut just below bottom node, remove lower leaves, flowers/ bracts, reduce top 2-3 leaves by 50%.  Mist frequently or drop cutting in a bowl of water till ready for use.

Propagating Mix

1 part Cocopeat + 1 part Perlite

Treatment

Keep hydrated during prep., tip or stem cuttings, dip in Easiroot. Using a dibber, press gently into tray of mix. Water in with Previcur fungicide. Mist frequently while continuing cutting process. Place on 20 -21°C heated bed with misters. Maintain a hothouse temperature around 21 - 25° at plant level and hothouse environment between 50 - 75% humidity where possible. Spray fortnightly with fungicide.

Strike Rate:-      Field Stock       

                         Nursery Stock   80 - 90%

Rooting time:-  Field Stock         

                        Nursery Stock  3 - 5 weeks 

Pot Mix:-          Premium Potting Mix