Firecracker Flower (Crossandra): Dependable Blooms from Spring to Fall

Botanical Name: Crossandra infundibuliformis

Firecracker Flower makes a stunning houseplant that blooms dependably from spring through fall.

Its deeply veined, glossy leaves grow in opposite pairs up to 5 in (13 cm) long.

Orange flowers are most common, but red, yellow, and pink varieties exist. Flowers are held upright from green tubular bracts. Even young plants bloom eagerly, sending up clusters most of the year.

Group Plants

Firecracker Flowers make a beautiful addition to a group of tropical plants. Grouping them raises humidity around them.

In its native tropical habitat, this plant flourishes in year-round warmth and high humidity. Dropped leaves sometimes signal cold air exposure. Keep away from windows, doors, or A/C vents with cold blasts. If leaf tips brown, raise humidity.

Repot in spring. Keep in a small pot—it blooms best when roots are crowded. Use a pot with a drainage hole to prevent soggy soil.

Watch for spider mites, which like dry conditions. Higher humidity discourages them.

Firecracker Flower Care Quick Reference

Photo (below) credit: Oeropium

 

Origin: Southern India and Sri Lanka

Height: Up to 2 ft (60 cm)

Light: Bright light. Some direct morning sun is fine.

Water: Water thoroughly, allowing top 1 in (2.5 cm) to dry between waterings. Don't allow soggy soil—it kills the plant quickly.

Humidity: Moderate to high

Temperature: Average room temperatures 60–75°F (16–24°C) year-round

Soil: Any good potting mix

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks spring and summer with 20-20-10 liquid fertilizer diluted by half

Propagation: Take 3 in (7.5 cm) stem tip cuttings in spring