Firecracker Flower Care

During the growing season, water frequently and never allow the soil to dry out. Crossandra plants are very susceptible to drought and like a slightly moist—but not soggy—soil at all times. Reduce the amount you water in the winter, even if you're growing your crossandra indoors in a pot.

Snip off the flower stalks at their base after the blossoms wilt and die. Firecracker plants flower year-round, so prompt flower removal improves the appearance of the plant.

Feed your crossandra with a weak liquid fertilizer every two weeks throughout the growing season. Cut fertilizer back to once a month in the winter.

These plants thrive best in bright, indirect sunlight. During the summertime, do not expose them to direct sunlight. But in the winter, provide as much light as possible. Indoors, your plant can do well with bright artificial light if you don't have a sunny window.

A rich, peat-based, fast-draining potting soil is ideal for crossandra. When grown outdoors in the ground, it needs to be in a spot with excellent drainage, and it will enjoy having compost mixed into its soil for the added nutrients.

Crossandra is very heat-tolerant and cold-sensitive, as befitting a plant that comes from the tropics. If the temperature goes below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant can experience damage to its leaves or the top growth.

Repot the plant into a container one size larger every two to three years, or when the roots become crowded and begin growing from the bottom of the pot. Plant the firecracker flower in the new pot at the same depth it was in its old pot.

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