Genus of 12 species of evergreen perennials and shrubs, from woodland or rainforest in the West Indies and tropical Central and South America. Pachystachys bears cone-shaped flower-heads above the oval leaves. The flowering season is from late spring until autumn. Prune this shrubby plant in the spring. The stem tips which are removed can be used as cuttings. Pachystachys lutea grows about 1,5 ft high.