Learn to grow crossandrasometimes known as the firecracker flowerfor its glossy green foliage and almost constant blooms.
Unlike many common flowers, the blooms of crossandra are asymmetrical and relatively one-sided.
The five-petaled flowers are borne on columnar square bloom stalks, which are unique.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Butterflies arevery fond of crossandraand can be found visiting them for their delicious nectar.
Crossandra thrives in humidity; its leaves should be regularly misted if grown indoors.
How and When to Plant Crossandra
Plant crossandra in the spring in moist, well-draining soil.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
It will grow quickly in the right conditions.
Tease the roots apart gently and place the plant in the hole.
Fill in the soil around the root ball and tamp it down.
Credit: Doug Hetherington
Repeat with other crossandra plants, giving each plant approximately 12 to 15 inches of space to grow.
Crossandra Care Tips
Despite their delicate appearance, crossandras are pretty tough plants.
With basic care and a little attention, they’ll thrive and grow.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
Light
Crossandra does best in indirect sunlight that’s bright and warm.
Ashade gardenis an ideal location for them when planted outdoors.
Indoors, place them near a sunny window.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
In drier soils, adding compost may help retain the moisture crossandras need to thrive.
Crossandras are heat tolerant but not drought tolerant.
In dry weatherespecially during the sweltering days of the summerthey may need supplemental watering.
Never water with cold water, as it could cause root shock, which may kill the plant.
Temperature and Humidity
Crossandras enjoy the heat and humidity of atropical climate.
They have no problem making it through even the hottest summer heat in the south.
They won’t tolerate cold, though.
Anything below 55oF will cause leaf damage.
Whether you grow it indoors or out, keep your crossandra plant comfortable with plenty of humidity.
Outdoor plants could benefit from a layer of mulch to retain soil moisture.
Err on the side of caution when fertilizing since over-fertilization can be damaging.
Indoors, use a liquid fertilizer at half-strength every two weeks during the summer and every month during winter.
Planting in more sun will also achieve this, as shadier-grown plants will be sparser and loosely branched.
It’s best to start with good branching at the base, so pinch plants early to encourage branching.
Water the plant thoroughly and put it on a wet pebble tray to provide ample humidity.
Keep it in a sunny location with bright, indirect light.
Avoid repotting crossandras if you’re able to since they don’t react well to being transplanted.
It’s unnecessary to repot crossandra more than every few years, even if they’re root bound.
When you should probably repot, use aterra-cotta planterwith plenty of drainage.
Add pebbles to the bottom of the pot, which should be 2 inches larger than the existing pot.
verify the plant is moist before moving, and water it well after repotting and filling with soil.
Avoid chemical treatments if possible.
Crossandra can also be propagated from stem cuttings.
Dip the cut stems in arooting hormoneand stick the stems in growing pots with a seed-starter mix.
Otherwise, keep it indoors until temperatures are well above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Orange Marmalade Crossandra
Crossandra infundibuliformis’Orange Marmalade' is a beautiful orange variety with great garden performance.
It features glossy, green foliage and fragrant, golden-orange blooms.
It is slightly more cold-hardy than other cultivars and can occasionally tolerate temperatures as low as 32 degrees.
It typically grows to approximately 12 to 36 inches in height.
They grow roughly 8-12 inches high with a neat growth habit and elegant dark green foliage.
Zones 2-11
Pentas
Pentas is one of the best butterfly and hummingbird-attracting plants around.
It blooms all summer long, even during the hottest weather.
The plant grows well in containers and the groundand makes a good houseplant if you have enough light.
It does best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
Pentas isgrown as an annualin most parts of the country, but it’s hardy in Zones 10-11.
Plant it outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.
Zinnias are so highly attractive to butterflies that you could count on having them in your garden every afternoon.
Crossandra’s leaves may turn brown with too little water and too much direct sunlight.
They thrive in hot weather, but sometimes the sun can scorch them.
Crossandra’s seed pods will sometimes explode in the rainwhen they’re dry, sending seeds across the ground.
This is why they’re called “firecracker flowers.”
Crossandra infundibuliformis (Crossandra, Firecracker Flower).North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.
