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Firecracker Plant Dicliptera squarrosa

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Dicliptera suberecta
  • Jacobinia suberecta
  • Justicia suberecta
Phonetic Spelling
dye-CLIP-ter-uh skwa-RO-suh
Description

The Hummingbird plant is a tender herbaceous perennial, though often grown as an annual. It is native to central South America and will bring a vibrant burst of color to your garden. Its vibrant orange/red flowers blossom throughout the summer and into the autumn months. It is drought tolerant and endures humidity, making this an ideal plant for many areas which have such conditions. It typically forms a shrubby mound 18 to 24 inches tall and as wide. Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, hence the sometimes common name of hummingbird plant. The genus name is from the Greek diklis meaning double-folding and pteron meaning wing in reference to the two wing-like divisions in the capsule. The species name means with parts spreading or recurved at the ends.

The Hummingbird plant is easy to grow in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. It tolerates some light shade and drought and is winter hardy to Zones 8-10 and with mulch protection, can tolerate temperatures down to 0 degrees F. It can also be grown in containers or hanging baskets. You can also take cuttings that can be overwintered indoors and planted in the spring. This amazing, showstopper plant attracts not just the human eye but also hummingbirds and butterflies, which only adds more the attraction and beauty of this plant. This firecracker-looking plant will be the fire you will not want to put out but enjoy for many years as a showstopper in your garden.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Colorful Borders
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#red flowers#salt tolerant#orange flowers#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#vibrant#showstopper#humidity tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#HS302#stormwater demo garden orange co#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#red flowers#salt tolerant#orange flowers#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#vibrant#showstopper#humidity tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#HS302#stormwater demo garden orange co#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dicliptera
    Species:
    squarrosa
    Family:
    Acanthaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Peru to Brazil and Northern Argentina
    Distribution:
    Introduced into Italy
    Wildlife Value:
    Hummingbird and butterfly attractor.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    This plant is moderately salt tolerant; heat, drought
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    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 Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Two wing-like capsules.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The flowers occur in terminal clusters from July to September and are two-lipped, tubular, bright reddish-orange flowers (1-3/4 inches long)
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Velvety
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Dicliptera squarrosa has leaves that are soft, fuzzy, light grey/green, and about 3 inches long. Leaves are opposite but then switch the other direction for the next layer (but are still opposite each other).
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat
    Salt