Firecracker Plant
Russelia equisetiformis
An evergreen perennial featuring arching, rush-like green stems that produce clusters of small, bright red or coral tubular flowers throughout the growing season.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, ideally requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Water
- Water deeply when the top few inches of soil become dry. Drought tolerant once established, but requires regular moisture for optimal blooming.
- Growth
- Perennial subshrub with a weeping, cascading growth habit, reaching a mature height and spread of 3 to 5 feet with a fast growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, and moderate watering once established. Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring to support continuous blooming.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, ideally requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Watering
Water deeply when the top few inches of soil become dry. Drought tolerant once established, but requires regular moisture for optimal blooming.
Soil
Grows best in sandy, loamy, well-draining soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH range between 6.0 and 7.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11, sensitive to frost.
Growth habit
Perennial subshrub with a weeping, cascading growth habit, reaching a mature height and spread of 3 to 5 feet with a fast growth rate.
Bloom season
Blooms continuously from spring through autumn, producing tubular, bright red to coral-orange flowers along the rush-like stems.
Propagation
Easily propagated through stem cuttings, division of established clumps, or by layering rooting stems during the active growing season.
Common pests & issues
Generally resilient against major pests and diseases, though root rot can occur if grown in poorly draining or overly saturated soils.
Similar species
Equisetum species (horsetails), which share a similar leafless, jointed stem appearance but belong to a primitive vascular group and never produce tubular red flowers.