The blue shrimp plant is an amazing flowering perennial. Its thick foliage of silver-green leaves makes for a lovely backdrop for its richly colored, purple, and blue bell-shaped flowers. The bracts or leaves connected to the flower are complimentary shades that darken in cooler temperatures and lighten in warm conditions.
This plant is easy to grow and a welcome splash of color to any garden or indoor area. Blue shrimp plants have a sweet floral scent that has hints of honey. It gets its pseudonym honeywort because bees and other pollinators flock to this plant’s blooms.
What is Blue Shrimp Plant?
- Scientific Name: Cerinthe major ‘Purpurascens’
- Other Names: Pride of Gibraltar, Honeywort, Kiwi Blue
- Native to: Mediterranean region
- Invasiveness: Not known to be invasive
- Tenderness: Frost tender
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: Low water requirements
- Soil: Well-drained, sandy, pH range 5.8 to 7.2
- Hardiness Zone: USDA 7 to 10
- When to Plant: Spring or summer
- Spacing: 1 to 2 feet apart
- Plant Height: Grows up to 1 to 3 feet tall
- Bloom Period: Spring to early fall
- Time to Maturity: 1 to 2 months
- Container Friendly: Yes
- Fertilizer: Use organic fertilizer once seedlings appear, monthly application after
- Toxicity: Non-toxic
- Drought Tolerant: Slightly
- Deer Resistant: Yes
- Pest Resistant: Generally
How to Grow Blue Shrimp Plant
The blue shrimp plant is a fast-growing, frost-tender perennial native to the Mediterranean. It prefers full sun but can thrive with light shade. A well-drained, sandy, humus-rich soil is preferred. This plant can handle drought conditions but should be watered twice a week during its growing season between spring to summer. Blue shrimp plants thrive when planted in the ground on in containers. With both options you should keep them well pruned, to keep their health and color up.
How to Grow Blue Shrimp Plant in Containers
The blue shrimp plant loves to be in containers. Take advantage of this if you wish to get a jump start on your garden, this plant will wilt in temperatures lower than 40 to 50 degrees. If your plant has spent a lot of time indoors, acclimate it before transplanting it in an area that has full sun. Place the blue shrimp plant outside for 15 to 30 minutes and day, gradually increasing the amount of time spent outside. Blue shrimp plants should be repotted with fresh soil every 1 to 2 years.
When to Plant Blue Shrimp Plant
The best time to plant blue shrimp plants is in spring. The earlier the better. Sow your seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last freeze of the season. The ideal temperature range for the seed’s environment is about 65 to 75 degrees. They are very easy to sow, place 1 to 2 seeds in a 3/4-inch hole. You can use a standard seed starting mix. Cover them in a clear material to allow light. Be sure that they have at least 8 hours of sunlight and plenty of water.
Germination should take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks. Once seedling crop up remove the cover. Once your seedlings are 5 inches tall they are ready to be transplanted.
How to Collect Blue Shrimp Plant Seeds
Blue shrimp plants are perennials and self-seeding. Harvesting their seeds is very simple. Turn the flower heads up so you can see inside of them, you can see the fertilized ovaries that will become seeds. Mature seeds will turn black and usually be about the size of your pinky nail or pencil erasure. Don’t harvest anything that is not a full dark black or about that size. The plant’s seeds will mature at different times but they will all mature quickly so check back often.
There may be 1 to 4 seeds per bloom. It’s no big deal if there’s only one seed per. Once they are ready pinch or cut off the whole sepal or everything attached to it. Place these in a cool dry spot to dry for a week or so. once everything around the seed is dry gently remove everything from the seed. Store these in an envelope or ziplock bag and be sure to label the variety and harvest date.
Wildlife Attracted to Blue Shrimp Plant
The blue shrimp plant is pollinator royalty. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and all pollinators love this plant. Having this plant in your garden will ensure the health of your garden as pollinators flock to the blue shrimp plant. They are deer and rabbit resistant as well!
Common Problems for Blue Shrimp Plants
Even if properly cared for blue shrimp plants can run into some issues. Not to fear, most are simple fixes. Before fretting over varying funguses and pests, be sure that your soil, water, and sunlight needs are being met. Root rot affects many plants and blue shrimp plants are no exception. Reduce your watering schedule and inspect the roots. any black roots should be removed.
If your blue shrimp plant starts to develop yellow patches or turns yellow this is typically due to a mineral deficiency. Hit them with a well-balanced liquid fertilizer that has magnesium, potassium, and sulfur.
