Alpine Justicia Plant Care

Alpine Justicia (Justicia alpina) belongs to the Acanthaceae family within the Justicia genus. Alpine Justicia is native to Peru.

Alpine Justicia displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Alpine Justicia produces colorful tubular flowers in various shades.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Alpine Justicia every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Alpine Justicia thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Alpine Justicia in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Justicia alpina tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Alpine Justicia prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Alpine Justicia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Alpine Justicia every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Alpine Justicia is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Alpine Justicia can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Alpine Justicia while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Alpine Justicia is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Alpine Justicia can be propagated through stem cuttings, division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to shrimp plant plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Alpine Justicia is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Alpine Justicia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Alpine Justicia is native to Peru. In cooler regions, grow Alpine Justicia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.