Family: Acanthaceae
Common Name: Caricature Plant

These 10 species of evergreen shrubs are native to the south-west Pacific and Australia. They are grown as foliage plants and in frosty cli­mates make good house or conservatory plants. The leaves may be mottled, streaked or spotted with various colours. Some markings resemble rough drawings, hence the common name, car­icature plant.

Species

G. pictum, caricature plant, grows 1-2 m (3-6 ft) high, with glossy foliage veined and marked yellow, paler green, pink or red. Purple-crimson flowers appear in summer but these are not spectacular. The cultivar 'Tricolor' has purplish green leaves with creamy yellow and pink splashes. The stalks and leaf midribs are red.

Cultivation

Grow in a warm to intermediate greenhouse or conservatory, or warm room indoors. Use soil-based potting compost and ensure good light but shade from direct sun. Plants need very little water in winter-keep compost only barely moist. Propagate in summer from semi-ripe cuttings, which need bottom heat to root.

Climate

Zone 10 (warmer parts).