Firecracker Plant Russelia equisetiformis

Russelia equisetiformis, or the Coral plant, is a deciduous, branching, tropical shrub measuring four feet by five feet at maturity that flowers profusely with small decumbent. or trailing, red flowers. Its arching branches and graceful form can make it appear as a fountain of bright red blooms. It does not do well outdoors at temperatures below 41 degrees F; however, it can be grown in pots or baskets, in which case it should be brought indoors during the winter and treated as a houseplant in a warm, sunny site. As a houseplant, the Coral plant will continue to flower through the winter. You can also cut the plant back hard and store in a dark, cool, and dry site for placement outside in the spring. The plant grows easily in average, well-drained, soil and does best in medium moisture. Established plants, however, do well in dry soils and moist soils such as at the edge of a pond. You should, however, place the plant in a location that shelters it from wind. The form of the Coral plant is cascading and stems can root as the bend and touch the soil. The rooted stems offer an opportunity to repot them as new plants.

The Coral plant is a popular nectar plant for hummingbirds and butterflies and is moderately salt tolerant.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems.