The Story
Plant Bio
Crossandra infundibuliformis, firecracker flower, is a compact broadleaf evergreen shrub from southern India and Sri Lanka, one to three feet high. Glossy dark green leaves with wavy margins cover dense erect stems, and overlapping fan-shaped flowers in vivid orange, salmon or coral open in succession from short spikes.
It flowers almost continuously in warmth without any deadheading, and the orange is a colour few shade-tolerant plants offer. Unlike most bright bedding it takes dappled shade happily. The seed capsules burst audibly when wetted, flinging seed several feet — which is where the firecracker name comes from, rather than from the flower colour.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Perennial
Height
24 inches
Width
18 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
10
Water
Moderate
Humidity
High
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Southern India and Sri Lanka
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Planting
How to Grow
- Grow it in dappled shade or morning sun.
- Use free-draining compost and keep it evenly moist.
- Keep it above 60F; it is strictly tender.
- Feed every few weeks through the growing season.
- Pinch young plants to keep them bushy.
- Overwinter indoors below zone 10.
Pro Tip
The name comes from the seed capsules, which burst audibly when wetted and throw seed several feet, not from the flower colour.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Give it dappled shade 🌤️
- Keep it evenly moist 💧
- Pinch young plants to branch them ✂️
- Overwinter it indoors 🏠
Don't
- Let it drop below 60F ❌
- Let it dry out ❌
- Put it in hot direct sun ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bring In | ||||||||||||
| Feed |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Firecracker Flower questions
What zones can Firecracker Flower grow in?
Firecracker Flower is hardy in USDA Zone 10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Firecracker Flower deer resistant?
Yes — Firecracker Flower is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Firecracker Flower bloom?
Firecracker Flower typically blooms in year-round in warmth through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Firecracker Flower need full sun?
Firecracker Flower does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Firecracker Flower with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.