Does it need a lot of water?

It prefers regular watering but is quite drought tolerant once established.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, it is excellent for hanging baskets or tall containers where it can spill over the edges.

Plant guide

Firecracker plant.

Russelia equisetiformis

Pronounced roo-SEL-ee-uh ek-wih-see-tih-FOR-miss

Also known as Firecracker plant, Fountainbush, coralplant, fountainplant, heath fire cracker

Russelia equisetiformis — Photo by Karen McCabe (CC BY) via gbif

The firecracker plant is a charming shrub known for its cascading, rush like stems covered in tiny, tubular red flowers. It creates a beautiful fountain effect that looks great in hanging baskets or spilling over garden walls. You will love how it attracts hummingbirds to your outdoor space.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 3 to 5 feet tall and wide
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Spring to fall

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to maintain its lush appearance. Watch for yellowing stems, which often signal that the plant is getting too dry or needs more light. Prune back long stems after flowering to encourage a fuller, bushier shape.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long, leggy stems twice a year to keep the plant tidy and encourage more blooms.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger container when the roots begin to circle the bottom of the pot.
Soil: Well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 0 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in

Safety

People: There are no significant reports of human toxicity, but it is best to keep it away from curious mouths.
Children: The thin, rush like stems can be brittle and might pose a minor choking hazard if small pieces are ingested.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Arching, rush like green stems
Tiny, tubular bright red flowers
Small, scale like leaves
Cascading, fountain like growth habit

Height: 0.9 to 1.5m
Spread: 0.9 to 1.8m
Leaves: bright green, semi-evergreen
Flowers: red, coral, 1 to 3cm

Problems to watch for

Root rot · Occurs when the soil stays consistently waterlogged for too long.
Aphids · Small insects that may cluster on new growth during the spring.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division, layering
When to plant: spring, early summer
Overwintering: In cooler climates, bring the container indoors before the first frost. If planted in the ground, provide a thick layer of mulch to protect the roots.
In containers: It is perfect for containers, especially hanging baskets, and needs a pot at least 30 cm wide to thrive.

Stem Cuttings

1. Take a 10 cm cutting from a healthy, non flowering stem.
2. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
3. Place in a pot with moist, well draining soil.
4. Keep in bright, indirect light until roots form.

Pair this plant with other sun loving, drought tolerant species to simplify your irrigation schedule.

Grows well with

Lantana · They share similar sun and water requirements while providing contrasting textures.
Blue Daze · The blue flowers of this groundcover provide a striking color contrast to the red firecracker blooms.

Similar species

Yellow Firecracker Plant · It is a close relative with similar growth habits but yellow flowers.

Science

Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Russelia
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Mexico
Conservation: This plant is not of conservation concern and is widely cultivated.

It grows in rocky, well drained areas where its arching stems can spread effectively.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: hummingbirds, butterflies, bees
Uses: hanging baskets, container plants, pollinator gardens, cascading groundcover

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a lot of water?: It prefers regular watering but is quite drought tolerant once established.
Can I grow it in a pot?: Yes, it is excellent for hanging baskets or tall containers where it can spill over the edges.

Where the name comes from

The genus name honors Scottish naturalist Alexander Russell, while the species name refers to its resemblance to Equisetum, or horsetail.

Good to know

It is native to Mexico.
The stems are leafless or have very tiny, scale like leaves.
It thrives in full sun but tolerates partial shade.
It is a member of the plantain family.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on November 7, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.