Crossandra infundibuliformis

RHS Plant Profile

firecracker flower

RHS 2002

Houseplants Conservatory Greenhouse

An erect evergreen sub-shrub with lance-shaped leaves and yellow or orange-red flowers 3cm across in a dense cone-like spike, borne from spring to autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1A

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Acanthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Crossandra are evergreen perennials or shrubs with paired or whorled lance-shaped leaves and cone-like terminal flower spikes with prominent bracts and salver-shaped flowers
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: S India, Sri Lanka

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow outdoors in well-drained soil in a very warm frost-free area. Grow under glass in peat-free compost in full light from autumn to spring and filtered light in summer. Pinch out growing points when young to encourage bushy growth

Propagation

Propagate by seed and semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Sub-tropical
Patio and container plants

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free