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Firecracker Plant Russelia equisetiformis

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
russ-EL-ee-ah eck-wiss-set-ih-FOR-miss
Description

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.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#houseplant#nectar plant#salt tolerant#interiorscape#hanging baskets#bush#long bloom time#garden walls#butterfly friendly#container plant#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#houseplant#nectar plant#salt tolerant#interiorscape#hanging baskets#bush#long bloom time#garden walls#butterfly friendly#container plant#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Russelia
    Species:
    equisetiformis
    Family:
    Plantaginaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    salt tolerant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Houseplant
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Cascading
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    broadly ovoid, beaked by persistent style
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers freely from late spring to frost. Will continue to flower into winter if taken indoors and treated as a houseplant. Bright red flowers in drooping terminal cymes.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Small, needle-like medium green leaves (to 1/2 inch long).
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Cut stems of overwintered houseplants to soil level in spring and place outdoors.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Rock Wall
    Walkways
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Salt