Aphelandra sinclairiana

Coral aphelandra

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophyta (Vascular plants)
Clade: Angiosperms (Flowering plants)
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae (Acanthus family)
Genus: Aphelandra
Species: Aphelandra sinclairiana

Common Names by Region

Global / Horticulture: Coral aphelandra
Central America: Panama queen; Sinclair’s aphelandra
Garden trade (common): Orange shrimp plant

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Description

Overall Form

A tropical evergreen shrub known for dramatic terminal flower spikes and bold, textured foliage. In the tropics it can become a large shrub (often cited up to ~3 m / 10 ft), while in greenhouse or container culture it’s usually kept much smaller by space and pruning.

Leaves

Large, glossy, oval-to-elliptic leaves with pronounced, depressed veins that give a subtly “corrugated” look—exactly the kind of leaf that makes a flowering spike feel even more theatrical.

Flowers and Bracts

The show is the inflorescence: upright spikes with colorful bracts (often orange-red to coral) and tubular flowers that open in shades of pink through red. The combination reads like warm “ember” bracts with a cooler pink flare pushing out from between them.

Wildlife Value

The flowers/bracts are well-known for attracting pollinators in suitable climates, especially butterflies and hummingbirds.

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Known Range

Native to the lowland tropics of Central America—commonly reported from Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras—and widely cultivated in warm regions elsewhere.

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Care and Habitat

Light

Best in bright, indirect light or semi-shade—think rainforest understory conditions. Too much direct sun can scorch leaves; too little light reduces vigor and flowering.

Water

Prefers consistent moisture: water regularly so the mix stays slightly moist, but never swampy. Good drainage matters—this plant resents “wet feet.”

Humidity and Temperature

Treat it as a true tropical: warm temperatures and higher humidity produce the best growth and cleanest leaves.

Soil

Use a rich, well-draining mix—often a peat-based medium amended for drainage (perlite/bark-style structure works well).

Pruning and Size Control

It can be maintained as a 3–4 ft ornamental by trimming after flowering or as needed for shape. Pruning also helps encourage branching and more flowering points over time.

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Propagation and Reproduction

Most commonly propagated by stem cuttings (especially softwood/semi-hardwood cuttings in warm, humid conditions). Keeping cuttings warm and evenly moist speeds rooting and reduces failure from rot. (General horticultural practice for shrubby tropical ornamentals; specific sources vary.)

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Pests, Diseases, and Threats

In cultivation, watch for common greenhouse/houseplant pests such as aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs, plus fungal issues like Botrytis (gray mold) when airflow is poor and foliage stays wet. Root problems usually trace back to waterlogged soil.

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Additional Notes

• If your photo shows a cluster of coral-red bracts with pink tubular blooms, you’re seeing the plant doing its main trick: high-contrast color layering that reads vividly even in filtered light.
• In collections and conservatories, A. sinclairiana is often noted as a winter showstopper when it comes into bloom—exactly the kind of plant that makes a greenhouse feel “alive” even when everything outside is gray.

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Maintenance and Management

• Keep evenly moist; adjust watering with seasons/indoor heat.
• Give it humidity (group plants, humidifier, or greenhouse conditions).
• Avoid harsh direct sun; aim for bright filtered light.
• Prune after flowering to keep it compact and encourage branching.
• Monitor pests early (undersides of leaves) and correct airflow/humidity balance if fungal issues appear.