Caricature Plant

Caricature plant is a tropical evergreen shrub grown for leaves patterned in cream, pink, or other contrasting tones and for clusters of tubular flowers. Its upright stems and colorful foliage make it useful as a warm-climate specimen, a clipped screen, or a container plant that can be moved under cover in cold weather. ## Foliage and Flowers The leaves are glossy, opposite, and broadly oval, with markings that vary among forms. Short clusters of purple to red-purple tubular flowers appear near the ends of the branches, most often in summer. The exact leaf pattern depends on the form being grown, so allow the individual plant’s foliage to guide color pairings. ## Siting and Care Grow it in a warm, frost-free position with full sun to partial shade; some afternoon protection helps in hot settings. A fertile, well-drained mix and even moisture during active growth support good foliage, while letting the surface begin to dry between waterings helps avoid waterlogging. It is suitable for large containers as well as sheltered tropical borders. ## Maintenance Prune after flowering or when growth becomes leggy to encourage branching and keep the shrub in scale. Protect it from cold, and reduce watering during slower growth. [Taiwan Landscape Plant Introduction: Graptophyllum pictum](https://tlpg.hsiliu.org.tw/plant/view/325)