These shrubs are natives of Brazil and Mexico. Beloperone guttata, the Shrimp Plant, grows 2-3 feet tall and has dark green leaves and spikes of white flowers, which are shaped like long tubes that open out into two lips at the top. The flowers are surrounded by brownish-rose or yellow bracts that give them the appearance of boiled shrimp. This plant is popular for window gardens, it can be grown in greenhouses and in tropical climates, outdoors. Beloperone oblongata grows up to 3 feet and has rosy-purple flowers in August. Beloperone californica, Chuperosa, is a native of the desert regions in the Southwest.

Repotting should be done in March when they begin to grow. You should use equal parts of loam and leaf mold or peat moss with enough sand to make it porous. These plants like a moderately humid atmosphere and a minimum temperature of 60 degrees. They will stand light shade. Cutting the plant back will prevent it from looking ratty.

Cuttings of young shoots can be inserted in April in a terrarium inside or in a propagating case in the hothouse and kept there until rooted. They are then repotted in 3-inch pots. Remove the tips of the shoots to ensure well-branched plants. When they are well established, transplant them into larger pots.

Beloperone guttata (the Shrimp Plant);
Beloperone oblongata;
Beloperone californica (the Chuperosa).