Crossandra

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Crossandra

​Crossandra infundibuliformis

• ​Common Name: Crossandra (other common names: Firecracker Flower)
  
• Scientific Name: Crossandra infundibuliformis
  
• Family Name: Acanthaceae
  
• Origin: Sri Lanka and India
  
• Height: 1’ – 3’
  
• Width: 1’ – 2’
  
• Growth: slow growing
  
• Zone: 9 - 11
  
• Light Needs: it can tolerate 4 hours of direct sun – no more or it can get sunburned but likes to be grown in partially shaded areas.
  
• Salt Tolerance:  unknown
  
• Soil/PH/Texture: it likes well-drained soil amended with peat or other organic matter.
  
• Soil Moisture: soil should be kept moist but not soggy, never let it dry out, but in winter months you can water less.
  
• Drought Tolerance: none
  
• Pests/Diseases: no serious diseases but check leaves for spider mites, aphids, mealybug, and whitefly regularly although they are usually not affected too much from them.
  
• Growing Conditions: Easy to grow, low maintenance, does not like cold weather and flowers can get damaged by rain. Fertilize monthly throughout the spring and summer and only every 8 weeks during the fall and winter. It loves humidity so if kept indoors mist its leaves frequently.
  
• Characteristics: The leaves can grow up to 5” and are wavy textured, glossy and oval or tear dropped in shape. Its flowers are tubular, grow in clusters, have 5 asymmetrical petals that overlap each other, usually salmon in color but can also be yellow, red, and pink. There are newer varieties ‘Florida Sunset’ and ‘Orange Marmalade’ that produce orange flowers as well.
  
• Propagation: by stem cuttings or seed
  
• Wildlife: attracts butterflies and dragonflies.
  
• Facts: It is often combined with the jasmine flower to adorn women’s hair in its native countries. It is related to the Shrimp plant and the Mexican Petunia. They are commonly known as ‘Firecracker Flowers’, but this is not because of the flower itself – it is because when the seed pods burst open, they make a pop sound and shower out seeds everywhere!
  
• Designer Considerations: use as a border plant, in a garden bed or as a container plant on a patio or deck.
  

Location

Butterfly Garden, Pavilion, Walkways & Garden Areas