In tropical conditions, this plant can be grown outdoors, and it remains evergreen, while in temperate regions it is mostly cultivated as a houseplant or an outdoor annual. The common name "firecracker flower" refers to the seed pods, which are found after the flower has dried and tend to "explode" when near high humidity or rainfall. They need bright indirect light, warm indoor air temperatures, and high humidity to perform well. To prevent the seed pods from 'exploding', cut the stems back before the seeds form. This is especially important when growing indoors. The showy flowers sit atop erect stems, and each has five asymmetrical petals that overlap. This gives the blooms a compact appearance. Pinching back the flowers after they bloom to encourage additional blooms. When grown indoors, setting the plant in a tray filled with pebbles and water is encouraged, ensuring that the water does not touch the bottom of the pot. Use warm water when watering this plant. Cold water can shock the roots, causing the plant to die. Propagation can be accomplished through stem cuttings. It's best to take your cuttings early in the growing season, giving your cutting ample time to take root. Use seed starter mix and rooting hormone powder with your cutting. Having a heat mat will give the cutting an edge. Make sure to mist the soil on a regular basis, as humidity is necessary. Artificial lighting is also encouraged. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Protect from direct sunlight, but keep in mind that low lighting conditions will put a halt on flowering. Cooler temperatures below 55 F can cause the plant to lose its leaves. Although it does not have insects issues, mealybugs, whitefly, aphids and mites are occasional visitors. Heavy rainfall can damage the flowers.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Blue; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Undulate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Waxy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Glossy dark green foliage with wavy margins.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Pink; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Funnel; Trumpet; Tubular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Fan-shaped flowers with 3-5 asymmetrical petals. Typically salmon colored, cultivars range from orange to salmon-orange, apricot, coral, red, yellow and even turquoise.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer; Winter
Stem color
Green
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
South India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Africa
Wildlife value
Bee, dragonflies, and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Attracts Pollinators; Easy to Grow