Tropicals – Firecracker Plant

Botanical name: cuphea ignea

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: up to 2 ft in height and in width

Bloom time: spring, summer, fall

Hardy zone: zones 9-12

Flower color: red/white/orange

Foliage color: green

Growth rate: reaches fully mature size in about 2 growing seasons

Pruning instructions: trim to maintain desired shape and size when the plant has finished flowering for the season

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: color and texture addition to a flower garden

Light needs: at least 6 hours of sun per day

Special features: attracts hummingbirds

Watering instructions: allow soil to partially dry between watering sessions

Fertilizing instructions : use 10-10-10 in the early spring before the plant begins flowering

Best time to plant: spring or summer

Best type of soil: loam or sand

Companion plants: sage, black-eyed susan, hibiscus

Toxicity level: potentially mildly toxic if ingested

Invasive species: no