Exploring the Acanthaceae Plant Family
The Acanthaceae family is a captivating group of plants I’ve grown to admire for its diversity and adaptability. What I find most striking about this plant family is its wide range of forms and characteristics, making it suitable for various gardening environments. With over 2,500 species spread across tropical and subtropical regions, the Acanthaceae family includes many ornamental plants that have become personal favorites in my collection. I’d like to share my experience with this unique family and why it holds such a special place in my horticultural journey.
Genera
- Acanthopale C.B.Clarke
- Acanthopsis Harv.
- Acanthostelma Bidgood & Brummitt – synonym of Crabbea
- Acanthura Lindau – synonym of Lepidagathis
- Acanthus L. (‘bear’s breech/britches’) – 29 Species in Genus Acanthus
- Achyrocalyx Benoist – synonym of Stenandriopsis
- Aechmanthera – synonym of Strobilanthes
- Adhatoda Mill. – synonym of Justicia
- Afrofittonia Lindau
- Ambongia Benoist
- Ancistranthus Lindau (‘desert honeysuckle’)
- Andrographis Wall. ex Nees (‘false waterwillow’) – 25 Species in Genus Andrographis
- Angkalanthus Balf.f.
- Anisacanthus Nees
- Anisosepalum E.Hossain
- Anisostachya Nees
- Anisotes Nees
- Anomacanthus R.D.Good
- Apassalus Kobuski – synonym of Dyschoriste
- Aphanosperma T.F.Daniel
- Aphelandra R.Br. (including A. squarrosa, ‘zebra plant’) – 206 Species in Genus Aphelandra
- Aphelandrella Mildbr. – synonym of Aphelandra
- Ascotheca Heine
- Asystasia Blume
- Asystasiella Lindau – synonym of Asystasia
- Avicennia L.
- Aymoreana Braz, T.F.Daniel & Kiel
- Ballochia Balf.f.
- Barleria L. (‘bush violets’)
- Barleriola Oerst
- Benoicanthus Heine & A.Raynal – synonym of Ruellia
- Blechum P.Browne – synonym of Ruellia
- Blepharis Juss.
- Borneacanthus Bremek.
- Boutonia DC.
- Brachystephanus Nees
- Bravaisia DC.
- Brillantaisia P.Beauv.
- Brunoniella Bremek.
- Calacanthus T.Anderson ex Benth. & Hook.f.
- Calophanoides (C.B.Clarke) Ridl. – synonym of Justicia
- Calycacanthus K.Schum.
- Camarotea Scott-Elliot
- Carlowrightia A.Gray (wrightwort)
- Celerina Benoist
- Cephalacanthus Lindau
- Cephalophis Vollesen
- Chalarothyrsus Lindau
- Chamaeranthemum Nees
- Championella Bremek. – synonym of Strobilanthes
- Champluviera I.Darbysh., T.F.Daniel & Kiel
- Chileranthemum Oerst.
- Chlamydacanthus Lindau
- Chlamydocardia Lindau
- Chlamydostachya Mildbr. – synonym of Anisotes
- Chorisochora Vollesen
- Chroesthes Benoist
- Clinacanthus Nees
- Clistax Mart.
- Codonacanthus Nees
- Conocalyx Benoist
- Corymbostachys Lindau – synonym of Anisostachya
- Cosmianthemum Bremek.
- Crabbea Harv.
- Crossandra Salisb. – 54 Species in Genus Crossandra
- Crossandrella C.B.Clarke
- Cuenotia Rizzini
- Cyclacanthus S.Moore
- Cylindrosolenium Lindau – synonym of Stenostephanus
- Cynarospermum Vollesen
- Cyphacanthus Leonard
- Dactylostegium Nees synonym of Dicliptera
- Danguya Benoist – synonym of Anisotes
- Dasytropis Urb.
- Dianthera L.
- Diceratotheca J.R.I.Wood & Scotland
- Dichazothece Lindau
- Dicladanthera F.Muell.
- Dicliptera Juss. (Foldwing)
- Didyplosandra Wight ex Bremek. – synonym of Strobilanthes
- Dipteracanthus Nees – synonym of Ruellia
- Dinteracanthus C.B.Clarke ex Schinz
- Dischistocalyx T.Anderson ex Benth. & Hook.f.
- Dolichostachys Benoist
- Drejera Nees – synonym of Thyrsacanthus
- Drejerella Lindau – synonym of Justicia
- Duosperma Dayton
- Dyschoriste Nees (snakeherb)
- Ecbolium Kurz
- Echinacanthus Nees
- Elytraria Michx. (scalystem)
- Encephalosphaera Lindau – synonym of Aphelandra
- Epiclastopelma Lindau – synonym of Mimulopsis
- Eranthemum L.
- Eremomastax Lindau
- Eusiphon Benoist – synonym of Ruellia
- Filetia Miq.
- Fittonia Coem. (nerve plants) – 2 Species in Genus Fittonia
- Forcipella Baill.
- Forsythiopsis Baker – synonym of Oplonia
- Geissomeria Lindl. – synonym of Aphelandra
- Glossochilus Nees
- Golaea Chiov. – synonym of Crabbea
- Graphandra J.B.Imlay
- Graptophyllum Nees
- Gymnophragma Lindau
- Gymnostachyum Nees
- Gynocraterium Bremek. – synonym of Staurogyne
- Gypsacanthus E.J.Lott et al.
- Haplanthodes Kuntze
- Haplanthus Nees
- Harpochilus Nees
- Hemiadelphis Nees – synonym of Hygrophila
- Hemigraphis Nees
- Henrya Nees
- Herpetacanthus Nees
- Heteradelphia Lindau
- Holographis Nees
- Hoverdenia Nees
- Hulemacanthus S.Moore
- Hygrophila R.Br. (‘swampweed’) – 77 Species in Genus Hygrophila
- Hypoestes (‘polka-dot plants’; includes Periestes) – 138 Species in Genus Hypoestes
- Ichthyostoma Hedrén & Vollesen
- Ionacanthus Benoist – synonym of Mellera
- Isoglossa Oerst.
- Isotheca Turrill
- Jadunia Lindau
- Juruasia Lindau – synonym of Herpetacanthus
- Justicia L. (justicia, ‘water-willow’, ‘shrimp plant’) – 913 Species in Genus Justicia
- Kalbreyeriella Lindau – synonym of Stenostephanus
- Kenyacanthus I.Darbysh. & Kiel
- Kosmosiphon Lindau
- Kudoacanthus Hosok.
- Lankesteria Lindl.
- Lasiocladus Bojer ex Nees
- Leandriella Benoist
- Lepidagathis Willd.
- Leptosiphonium F.Muell.
- Leptostachya Nees
- Liberatia Rizzini
- Linariantha B.L.Burtt & R.M.Sm.
- Lophostachys Pohl – synonym of Lepidagathis
- Louteridium S.Watson
- Lychniothyrsus Lindau – synonym of Ruellia
- Mackaya Harv.
- Marcania J.B.Imlay
- Mcdadea E.A.Tripp & I.Darbysh.
- Megalochlamys Lindau
- Megalostoma Leonard – synonym of Justicia
- Megaskepasma Lindau
- Meiosperma Raf.
- Melittacanthus S.Moore
- Mellera S.Moore
- Mendoncia Vand.
- Metarungia Baden
- Mexacanthus T.F.Daniel
- Meyenia Nees
- Mimulopsis Schweinf.
- Mirandea Rzed.
- Monechma Hochst. – synonym of Meiosperma
- Monothecium Hochst.
- Morsacanthus Rizzini
- Nelsonia R.Br.
- Neohallia Hemsl. – synonym of Justicia
- Neriacanthus Benth.
- Neuracanthus Nees
- Nicoteba Lindau
- Odontonema Nees (‘toothedthread’)
- Ophiorrhiziphyllon Kurz – synonym of Staurogyne
- Oplonia Raf.
- Oreacanthus Benth. – synonym of Brachystephanus
- Orophochilus Lindau – synonym of Aphelandra
- Pachystachys Nees
- Pachystrobilus Bremek. – synonym of Strobilanthes
- Pararuellia Bremek. & Nann.-Bremek.
- Pelecostemon Leonard – synonym of Justicia
- Pentstemonacanthus Nees – synonym of Ruellia
- Perenideboles Ram.Goyena – synonym of Megaskepasma
- Pericalypta Benoist
- Peristrophe Nees – synonym of Dicliptera
- Petalidium Nees
- Phaulopsis Willd.
- Phialacanthus Benth.
- Phidiasia Urb. – synonym of Odontonema
- Phlogacanthus Nees
- Physacanthus Benth.
- Podorungia Baill.
- Pogonospermum Hochst.
- Poikilacanthus Lindau
- Polylychnis Bremek.
- Populina Baill.
- Pranceacanthus Wassh.
- Pseudacanthopale Benoist
- Pseuderanthemum Radlk. – 133 Species in Genus Pseuderanthemum
- Pseudocalyx Radlk.
- Pseudodicliptera Benoist
- Pseudoruellia Benoist – synonym of Ruellia
- Psilanthele Lindau
- Psiloesthes Benoist
- Ptyssiglottis T.Anderson
- Pulchranthus V.M.Baum et al.
- Pupilla Rizzini – synonym of Justicia
- Razisea Oerst. – synonym of Stenostephanus
- Rhaphidospora Nees
- Rhinacanthus Nees
- Rhombochlamys Lindau – synonym of Aphelandra
- Ritonia Benoist
- Rostellularia Rchb.
- Ruellia L. (‘wild petunia’) – 366 Species in Genus Ruellia
- Ruelliopsis C.B.Clarke
- Rungia Nees
- Ruspolia Lindau
- Ruttya Harv.
- × Ruttyruspolia A.Meeuse & de Wet (Ruspolia × Ruttya)
- Saintpauliopsis Staner
- Salpinctium T.J.Edwards – synonym of Asystasia
- Salpixantha Hook.
- Samuelssonia Urb. & Ekman
- Sanchezia Ruiz & Pav.
- Santapaua N.P.Balakr. & Subr. – synonym of Hygrophila
- Sapphoa Urb.
- Satanocrater Schweinf.
- Sautiera Decne. – synonym of Dyschoriste
- Schaueria Nees
- Schaueriopsis Champl. & I.Darbysh.
- Schwabea Endl. – unplaced
- Sclerochiton Harv.
- Sebastiano-schaueria Nees
- Sericospora Nees – unplaced
- Siphonoglossa Oerst. – synonym of Justicia
- Spathacanthus Baill.
- Sphacanthus Benoist
- Sphinctacanthus Benth.
- Spirostigma Nees – synonym of Ruellia
- Stachyacanthus Nees
- Standleyacanthus Leonard – synonym of Herpetacanthus
- Staurogyne Wall. (including S. repens)
- Steirosanchezia Lindau – synonym of Sanchezia
- Stenandriopsis S.Moore
- Stenandrium Nees (shaggytuft)
- Stenostephanus Nees
- Stenothyrsus C.B.Clarke
- Streblacanthus Kuntze
- Streptosiphon Mildbr.
- Strobilanthes Blume (‘Chinese rain-bell’, ‘Persian shield’) – 463 Species in Genus Strobilanthes
- Strobilanthopsis S.Moore
- Styasasia S.Moore – synonym of Asystasia
- Suessenguthia Merxm.
- Symplectochilus Lindau
- Synchoriste Baill. – synonym of Lasiocladus
- Tabascina Baill.
- Taeniandra Bremek. – synonym of Strobilanthes
- Tarphochlamys Bremek. – synonym of Strobilanthes
- Teliostachya Nees – synonym of Lepidagathis
- Tessmanniacanthus Mildbr.
- Tetramerium Nees
- Theileamea Baill. – synonym of Chlamydacanthus
- Thunbergia Retz. – 150 Species in Genus Thunbergia
- Thyrsacanthus Moric.
- Thysanostigma J.B.Imlay
- Tremacanthus S.Moore – synonym of Ruellia
- Triaenanthus Nees – synonym of Strobilanthes
- Trichanthera Kunth
- Trichaulax Vollesen
- Trichocalyx Balf.f.
- Trichosanchezia Mildbr.
- Ulleria Bremek. – synonym of Ruellia
- Vavara Benoist
- Vindasia Benoist
- Warpuria Stapf – synonym of Podorungia
- Whitfieldia Hook.
- Wuacanthus Y.F.Deng, N.H.Xia & H.Peng
- Xantheranthemum Lindau
- Xerothamnella C.T.White
- Xylacanthus Aver. & K.S.Nguyen
- Yeatesia Small (Bractspike)
- Zygoruellia Baill.
The Allure of the Acanthaceae Family
One of the most remarkable features of Acanthaceae plants is their vibrant, intricate flowers. They come in an array of colors, shapes, and sizes, attracting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. In my garden, I’ve noticed how these plants bring a burst of life and activity. The tubular or funnel-shaped flowers, often with bright hues like red, purple, and pink, stand out beautifully among greenery.
Acanthaceae plants are more than just pretty flowers; their adaptability to various environments makes them a practical choice for any gardener. From the sunny spots in my garden to shaded areas, I’ve found Acanthaceae members that thrive in both conditions. This adaptability has made it easier for me to experiment with different plant combinations and layouts, knowing I can rely on certain species from this family to flourish regardless of where I place them.
Key Acanthaceae Species in My Collection
One of the first Acanthaceae plants I added to my garden was Justicia brandegeeana, commonly known as the shrimp plant. Its unique, arching flower bracts resemble shrimp, which immediately caught my attention. The reddish-orange bracts and white flowers create a visually striking contrast, and the plant’s ability to bloom year-round in warmer climates has made it a constant focal point in my garden. I particularly appreciate its resilience—it can handle a fair amount of neglect, which makes it ideal for both novice and seasoned gardeners.
Another favorite is Ruellia brittoniana, also known as Mexican petunia. I love how quickly it grows and spreads, filling up spaces in my garden with minimal effort on my part. The purple, trumpet-shaped flowers bloom continuously during the warmer months, creating a lush and colorful display. It’s also a great ground cover plant, providing dense foliage that helps prevent weeds from taking over. However, I do keep an eye on it because it can become invasive if left unchecked.
One of the more delicate species in my collection is Aphelandra squarrosa, commonly known as the zebra plant. Its striking white-veined leaves and bright yellow flower spikes are a perfect indoor plant option. Unlike some of its more robust relatives, this one demands a bit more attention, particularly when it comes to humidity and watering. I’ve learned that keeping it in a slightly more humid environment helps it thrive, and while it doesn’t bloom as frequently as other Acanthaceae plants, the flowers are well worth the wait.
Practical Tips for Growing Acanthaceae Plants
Based on my experience, most Acanthaceae species are relatively easy to grow, though some do have specific requirements. I’ve found that proper soil drainage is crucial for most species, especially those like Ruellia that can spread rapidly in the right conditions. Over-watering can lead to root rot, so I always ensure that the soil is well-draining, particularly for potted varieties.
Many Acanthaceae plants are drought-tolerant, which is an advantage if, like me, you sometimes forget to water your plants regularly. However, I’ve noticed that while they can tolerate short dry periods, they thrive best with consistent watering during the growing season. For indoor varieties like the zebra plant, I’ve had the best results by keeping them near a window where they receive indirect sunlight. Too much direct sunlight can scorch their delicate leaves, while too little light can lead to leggy growth.
Fertilizing is another key factor I’ve incorporated into my care routine. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer applied during the growing season helps boost the overall health and bloom production of these plants. I typically fertilize every two weeks, and I’ve seen a noticeable difference in the vibrancy of the flowers and foliage.
The Acanthaceae Family in Landscape Design
What I love most about the Acanthaceae family is its versatility in landscape design. These plants add texture, color, and dimension to garden beds and borders. In my own garden, I’ve used species like Ruellia and Justicia to create a layered effect, with taller varieties at the back and shorter ones in the front. The constant blooming of these plants ensures that there’s always something colorful to enjoy, even during the less active seasons.
Acanthaceae plants also pair well with other tropical species, such as ferns and bromeliads. I’ve found that mixing these plants in shaded areas creates a lush, jungle-like effect, while in sunnier spots, the bold colors of the flowers really pop against the green backdrop. Their adaptability and variety in size, color, and shape make them an invaluable part of my garden’s design.
Final Thoughts
The Acanthaceae family has undoubtedly become one of my favorites in the plant world. Its diversity, ease of care, and stunning blooms make it a go-to option for gardeners looking to add beauty and resilience to their landscapes. Whether you’re looking for vibrant, pollinator-friendly flowers or a hardy, fast-growing ground cover, the Acanthaceae family has something to offer. For me, this plant family has become an essential part of my gardening experience, and I’m always on the lookout for new species to add to my ever-growing collection.
