Firecracker Flower

Firecracker Flower Care

Crossandra Infundibuliformis

What is the plant

Crossandra plants (Crossandra infundibuliformis) can be thought of as slightly easier cousins of the hibiscus, though they aren't related. Also known as firecracker flower, crossandra is native to Sri Lanka and southern India. It features narrow, oblong leaves and showy peach or coral flowers. It's grown as a bedding plant in tropical and subtropical areas and as an annual in northern areas. It also can be grown indoors. Crossandra is best planted in the spring and is a moderate to fast grower. If you meet its requirements for moisture and light, your plant should bloom in about seven months. Plus, when growing crossandra plants outdoors, they're known to attract butterflies.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

min 12°C

Hardiness zone

10 - 11

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
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.
Pruning
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.
Fertilizer
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.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
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.
Soil
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.
Temperature
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.

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Container
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.
Popularity
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