Firecracker Plant
A Quick Guide to Firecracker Plant Care
The Firecracker Plant, also known as Russelia equisetiformis, is native to Mexico. This is a very colorful plant that tends to grow fast. In the United States, the Firecracker plant is grown in the southern regions; these plants are most commonly grown as a hanging basket plant, and are really stunning when they are properly cared for.
Aside from its technical name, the Firecracker Plant is also commonly known as the Coral Plant; due to the fact that this plant is a weeping plant, when it is grown outdoors it is often used as cascading foliage for fencing, as well as containers, walls and dividers.
The blossoms of the Russelia equisetiformis are fairly small and tubular that looks a lot like small firecrackers, which is how this plant got its common name of Firecracker Plant. These flowers are a favorite of butterflies, which is one reason why so many people like to grow them around their home, as it will help ensure that you have plenty of butterflies gracing your yard.
Another reason why the Brazilian Firecracker Plant is so popular with home gardeners is that it is very easy to grow. It is also not too particular about the soil, as it will grow in almost any type of soil as long as it is well drained. This plant is best grown in Zones B9 through 12. In these areas the Firecracker can be planted outdoors and will grow all year around. If you live outside of these zones, you can still grow this plant, though it will be necessary to grow it in a greenhouse environment or in your home, but even when grown indoors, this plant will have to be put in a sunny location, such as next to a window.
When you grow the Firecracker Plant outside, you can expect that it will grow up to about 5 feet high, and it can have a spread of approximately 12 feet. If you grow this plant in a container or hanging basket, the cascading plant will likely grow down about 4 feet.
Once you have planted the Firecracker, you will have to make sure that it is watered regularly. How often you will need to water will depend on the temperature and how dry the climate is. If you live in a moist climate with relatively high humidity you will need to water less frequently than you would need to if you lived in a dry climate. A good rule would to wait until the soil is at least partially dry before watering. You will find that once this plant is well established it will be drought resistant so you won’t have to pay a lot of attention to watering.
The Firecracker Plant is considered to be an aggressive plant; for this reason you will want to pay careful attention to it so that it does not invade nearby plants. If you place it in an area where it is getting plenty of sun, you will get blooms throughout most of the year. To keep this plant healthy you should feed it fertilizer at least twice a month, during the growing season.
Although you will not need to prune the Firecracker for it to remain in healthy growth, it is a good idea to do so, especially if there is a danger that it will begin to overrun other plants. You do not have to pay too much attention to how you prune the Brazilian Firecracker Plant; simply cut away what growth you don’t want.
If you like beautiful, cascading plants, you’ll like the Firecracker Plant.