The Different Types of Firecracker Plants
Explore the distinct plants that share the "firecracker" name. This guide clarifies their unique forms and needs to help you select the ideal one for your space.
Explore the distinct plants that share the "firecracker" name. This guide clarifies their unique forms and needs to help you select the ideal one for your space.
The name “firecracker plant” can be misleading, as it does not refer to a single plant. It is a common nickname given to a variety of species because their vibrant flowers are often tubular or appear to burst forth like fireworks. Understanding the differences between these plants is the first step toward choosing the right one for your garden.
The most common plant known as the firecracker plant is Russelia equisetiformis, also called coral fountain. This plant is defined by its unique structure, featuring long, slender, weeping stems that create a fountain-like appearance. The species name equisetiformis alludes to the rush-like appearance of its foliage, which consists of small, scale-like leaves. This structure allows it to form a dense mound that can reach up to four feet tall and six feet wide.
Native to Mexico, this plant produces clusters of small, tubular flowers in a brilliant shade of coral red. These one- to two-inch blooms are a significant attraction for hummingbirds and butterflies. Russelia equisetiformis thrives in full sun but can become stressed by intense, reflected heat. It is well-suited for USDA hardiness zones 9b through 11.
Once established, the coral fountain plant exhibits considerable drought tolerance, though it performs best with consistent watering. It prefers rich, well-draining soil and benefits from yearly fertilizer applications. While it can withstand temperatures into the low thirties, it will experience frost damage in the high twenties, though it typically recovers quickly. Its cascading form makes it an excellent choice for planting over retaining walls, in hanging baskets, or near water features.
Another popular plant called firecracker plant is Cuphea ignea, more frequently known as the cigar plant. Unlike the weeping habit of Russelia, this species grows in a traditional, bushy, and rounded form. It is a broadleaf evergreen sub-shrub native to Mexico and Jamaica that grows 18 to 30 inches tall and wide, with dense, dark green, lance-shaped leaves.
The blooms are cigar-shaped, reddish-orange tubes with a dark ring and a white or ash-colored tip, giving them the appearance of a lit cigar. These flowers appear profusely from late spring until the first frost and are a rich nectar source for hummingbirds and butterflies. This constant blooming makes it a popular choice for summer-long color.
This plant thrives in hot and humid conditions, preferring full sun to partial shade and consistently moist, well-drained soil. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade is beneficial. Often grown as a summer annual in colder regions, it is hardy in USDA zones 10 to 12. Its neat, compact shape makes it suitable for container gardening, where it can be brought indoors to overwinter.
Visually distinct from the other firecracker plants, Crossandra infundibuliformis offers a different aesthetic. Native to India and Sri Lanka, this plant has an upright growth habit and features large, glossy, dark green leaves. It is often grown as a houseplant or a bedding plant in southern climates, reaching a height of one to three feet.
Also called firecracker flower, this plant produces spear-shaped spikes from which fan-shaped, asymmetrical flowers emerge in tiered clusters. These delicate flowers, which are easily damaged by rain, most commonly appear in bright orange, but also in shades of coral, peach, and yellow. They are known to attract pollinators like butterflies.
This species has different care requirements than the sun-loving varieties. It prefers partial shade, especially during the hottest part of the day, and high humidity. It thrives in well-drained, loamy soil that is kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. Hardy in USDA zones 9-11, it cannot tolerate frost and should be brought indoors in colder climates.
Beyond the most common species, several other plants share the firecracker nickname. One such plant is Manettia luteorubra, a climbing vine often called the Brazilian Firecracker. This vine produces small, tubular flowers that are fiery red with yellow tips, giving them a look reminiscent of candy corn. It is a twining plant that does well on a trellis or other support structure.
Dichelostemma ida-maia is a bulb native to the grasslands and woodlands of the U.S. West Coast. It sends up tall, leafless stems that bear clusters of pendulous, one-inch-long crimson tubes. These tubes are tipped with distinctive, recurved green lobes, creating a striking two-tone effect.
Gloxinia sylvatica, also known as Bolivian Sunset, is recognized by its fuzzy leaves and clusters of bell-shaped, reddish-orange flowers. It grows from rhizomes and has a low, spreading habit, making it a good choice for a groundcover in partially shaded areas. It blooms from fall into winter, providing color when many other plants are dormant.
Selecting the appropriate firecracker plant depends on your garden’s conditions and aesthetic goals. Each species offers a different growth habit, appearance, and set of care requirements.
For gardens with intense sunlight and a need for drought-tolerant options, Russelia equisetiformis is an excellent choice. Its weeping, fountain-like form is ideal for cascading over walls or from hanging baskets. It provides a soft texture and continuous red blooms that are highly attractive to hummingbirds.
If you are looking for a plant for containers or as a summer annual, Cuphea ignea is a strong candidate. Its bushy, compact habit and continuous, cigar-like flowers provide consistent color throughout the hot season. It requires more consistent moisture than Russelia but offers a more traditional shrub shape.
For shadier garden spots or as an attractive houseplant, Crossandra infundibuliformis is the superior option. Its preference for partial shade and high humidity sets it apart from the sun-loving types. For vertical interest on a trellis, the climbing Manettia luteorubra vine offers a colorful display.