Firecracker flower.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Tropical evergreen shrub

Light

Bright indirect light is best, though it can handle some morning sun.

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 5 to 7 days

Mature size

1 to 3 feet

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 11

Bloom time

Spring to fall

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy, as this plant dislikes drying out completely. High humidity is key to preventing leaf drop and encouraging continuous flowering. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil is too wet or the air is too dry.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Pinch back stems to encourage a bushier shape and more blooms.

Repotting

Repot in the spring when the roots begin to crowd the container.

Soil

Well draining, peat based potting mix

Soil pH

6.1 to 7.5

Temperature

15 to 30°C

Humidity

60 to 80%

Drought tolerance

Low

Lifespan

Short-lived perennial, often grown as an annual.

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion should be avoided.

Pets

This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

Keep out of reach of small children to prevent accidental ingestion of leaves or flowers.

Contact allergens

No specific skin irritants are known.

Airborne allergens

No notable airborne allergens are associated with this plant.

Edibility

This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause digestive upset if ingested.

How to identify it

• Glossy dark green leaves
• Bright orange or salmon flowers
• Spikes of fan shaped blooms
• Compact bushy growth habit

Height

0.3 to 0.9m

Spread

0.3 to 0.6m

Leaves

dark green, glossy, evergreen

Flowers

orange, apricot, coral, 2 to 5cm

Problems to watch for

• Root RotCommon
• Spider MitesCommon
• AphidsUncommon
• Brown Leaf EdgesUncommon
• Fungus GnatsUncommon
• Leaf DropUncommon
• MealybugsUncommon
• WhiteflyUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, seed

When to plant

spring, early summer

Overwintering

Bring containers indoors before temperatures drop below 15 degrees Celsius. Place in a bright spot away from cold drafts.

In containers

It is an excellent container plant that prefers a pot with good drainage and a size of at least 15 to 20 centimeters.

Group this plant with other tropicals to create a microclimate that helps maintain necessary humidity levels.

Grows well with

• Ferns · They share similar requirements for high humidity and indirect light.
• Peace Lily · Both plants thrive in warm, humid indoor environments.

Similar species

• Aphelandra · Another tropical plant with showy, long-lasting blooms.

Science

Family

Acanthaceae

Genus

Crossandra

Order

Lamiales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Southern India and Sri Lanka.

Conservation

This species is not currently threatened in its native habitat.

It grows as an understory plant in tropical forests, where it benefits from dappled light and high humidity.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

butterflies

Uses

container plant, houseplant, tropical bedding

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need direct sun?

It prefers bright, indirect light to keep the foliage healthy and blooming.

How often should I water?

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.

Where the name comes from

The scientific name infundibuliformis refers to the funnel shape of the individual flowers.

Good to know

• It is commonly called the firecracker flower because of its vibrant orange color.
• The genus name comes from the Greek words for fringe and man, referring to the fringed anthers.
• It is a popular choice for indoor color in cooler climates.