What is a Beloperone?

Beloperone is a perennial plant that belongs in the acanthaceae family of plants. It can be found in warm, subtropical climates, as well as in North America. This shrub-like plant is used to accent a garden, but it is also used to attract birds and certain insects to a specific area. The beloperone produces colorful blooms that appear throughout the year. These plants are often referred to as shrimp plants because of the salmon-colored flowers it produces.

The beloperone plant has small stems, which are a light green to tan color. Darker green leaves are seen on the stems and they are oval shaped with a pointed edge. Beloperone leaves have deep, thick veins and a glossy finish. As the beloperone plant is considered a shrub, it sits close to the ground. Perhaps the most interesting features of this plant are its blooms.

Blooms that appear on the beloperone plant have a pleasing fragrance. The petals extend outward from a circular-shaped petal in the middle of the flower. Petal colors range from an off-white to a deep, rich red depending on the individual plant. If the blooms are a pink salmon-like color, they resemble a shrimp. This is why they are called shrimp plants.

These plants can reach up to 36 inches (around 80 cm) in height and they can also space out just as far. The beloperone is an easy-to-grow, hardy plant and it can survive in temperatures that go below 30° Fahrenheit (around -1° Celsius). They thrive in a partial mix of sun and shade, but they can be placed in an area that only receives a bit of sunshine. Too much sun light can damage the delicate blooms.

Watering must be kept to a minimum while maintaining the beloperone plant. The soil should always be damp, especially while the plant is young, but the roots can become damaged if they sit in water for a long period of time. It is recommended that the plant be placed on a slight hill, so that the water can naturally drain away from the root system.

This plant has other benefits. With its colors, it naturally attracts birds as well as butterflies and bees to a garden area. It can be potted and grown indoors if the weather is too severe for the plant to be left outside.