Firecracker flower is a tropical evergreen shrub native to India and Sri Lanka that brings year-round color to warm gardens and container collections. Growing 1 to 3 feet tall, it produces showy terminal racemes of apricot to salmon pink flowers, with yellow and red flowered forms also available, that bloom continuously throughout the year. Hardy only in USDA zones 10 and 11, it's typically grown in containers in cooler climates, where its preference for partial shade and high humidity makes it a natural choice for bright indoor spaces or shaded outdoor patios.
Partial Shade
Moderate
10-11
36in H x 24in W
—
High
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The name says it all: firecracker flower erupts in color year-round, never taking a break from blooming. Its shiny, dark green ovate to lanceolate foliage provides a sophisticated backdrop for the warm apricot and salmon pink flower spikes that seem to ignite the plant continuously. The genus name Crossandra refers to the fringed anthers of its flowers, a delicate botanical detail you'll notice as you lean in to admire the intricate blooms.
Firecracker flower is grown primarily for its ornamental appeal, thriving as both a potted houseplant and a garden shrub in tropical and subtropical regions. The continuous blooming makes it especially valuable for adding sustained color to indoor plant collections, patios, and conservatories where its preference for partial shade and humidity can be easily managed.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start firecracker flower from seed indoors in light, organically rich potting mix. Keep soil medium-moist and provide bright conditions under artificial lights if natural light is limited. Transplant seedlings into individual containers once they've developed their first true leaves.
In zones 10 and 11, transplant hardened-off seedlings into garden beds or larger containers after the threat of frost has passed. Space plants 12 to 24 inches apart to accommodate their mature width. In cooler regions, keep plants in containers year-round and move them indoors before temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pinch back young plants to encourage bushier, more compact growth and promote prolific flowering. Light pruning after flowering cycles will help maintain the plant's shape and prevent it from becoming leggy.
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“Firecracker flower originates from the warm regions of India and Sri Lanka, where it thrives as a tropical evergreen subshrub. The plant has been cultivated and studied extensively; its scientific name, Crossandra infundibuliformis, reflects both its distinctive fringed anthers (from the Greek krossos, meaning fringe, and aner, meaning male) and its funnel-shaped flower structure. Over time, plant breeders and gardeners have selected for color variations, expanding the original apricot forms to include yellow and red flowered varieties that offer gardeners even more options for seasonal color.”