Russelia equisetiformis

firecracker plant
Feathery, thready evergreen shrublet features red tubular flowers much of the year. Arches and cascades over pot edges and walls, and makes a nice small-scale groundcover.
height 1–5ft
width 1–5ft
tolerates Heat, Pots, Rooftops
water
needs		 Moderate
water
info		 For the first three years after it’s planted, this plant should be watered deeply but infrequently (when the top three inches of soil or so have dried). After that, it will look best with occasional deep waterings every couple weeks to a month. Use drippers, emitters or a slow stream of water so that it doesn’t run off; allow the water to trickle all the way down through the deepest layers of soil.

If you find the plant slow to grow in the warm season, increase watering.

Though this plant is not very thirsty, never let it go bone dry in a pot.
hardy
to		 25F
exposure Part Shade – Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Planting Mix, In Pots: Potting Soil
fertilizing All Purpose 1/2 Strength
origin Mexico, Guatemala
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 9, 12–H2

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

Growing Notes

If planted on a flat surface, russelia will become a mounding shrub. Next to a wall, in a pot, or on a steep slope, it will arch and cascade, beautifully featuring its brilliant flowers.
It will grow in light shade but produces less bloom.
Flowering occurs in the warmer part of the year and can last throughout the year in mildest areas.
Plants can recover from freezes when spring warms up.

Special Interest

Its tubular red blossoms are the model hummingbird flower, attracting these charming birds whenever they’re around.