study to grow crossandra — sometimes known as the firecracker flower — for its lustrous green foliage and almost constant blooms .
A long - lasting , colorful plant , crossandra ( sometimes shout out the firecracker flower ) , can bloom almost nonstop all twelvemonth long in the right conditions . With its bright orange , scandalmongering , Salmon River , and pinkish flowers , it ’s grown as a perennial in warmer mood ( Zones 10 - 11 ) or an annual in others . Crossandras also act as houseplant with their sheeny , deep greenish leafage that bet good even if they are n’t in flush .
Unlike many vulgar flowers , the blooms of crossandra are asymmetrical and comparatively one - sided . Also , all of the reproductive part are hide out in the pipe of the peak , so they requirespecific pollinatorsto create their ejaculate . The five - petaled peak are bear on columnar square flower angry walk , which are singular .
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Butterflies arevery doting of crossandraand can be found visiting them for their delicious ambrosia .
Where to Plant Crossandra
While crossandra is love as a florist plant in northerly climates , it can make a greatbedding plant in the South . The recondite emerald dark-green lustrous foliage creates a foil for other flora to toy against , and the bright colored orange blooms bring color all season long .
Crossandra can tolerate high heat and sun but does best with partial shade during the hottest prison term of the day or with dappled shade . Crossandra boom in humidity ; its leave-taking should be on a regular basis misted if grown indoors .
How and When to Plant Crossandra
flora crossandra in the fountain in moist , well - draining soil . It will develop rapidly in the ripe conditions . Before you plant , organize the soil with anynecessary amendments , breaking it up as you go so the soil is informal and well - draining . comprehend a hole doubly as wide and deep enough for the plant life to sit down at the same elevation as it did in its develop stack . rag the roots aside gently and place the plant in the trap . Fill in the soil around the root ball and tamp down it down .
Repeat with other crossandra plants , giving each plant approximately 12 to 15 inches of quad to grow .
Crossandra Care Tips
Despite their touchy appearance , crossandras are pretty bad plants . With basic charge and a little aid , they ’ll thrive and grow .
Light
Crossandra does best in indirect sunshine that ’s bright and warm . Ashade gardenis an ideal locating for them when planted outdoors . Indoors , post them near a sunny window .
Soil and Water
flora crossandras in well - drained , slightly acid soil(pH 5.8 to 6.5 ) , preferably with a decent amount of organic matter . If demand , you’re able to amend your soil to make it more acidic by mixing peat moss into the top few inches of the land . In drying agent grunge , adding compost may help hold the wet crossandras postulate to thrive .
Crossandras are heat tolerant but not drought tolerant . In ironic weather — especially during the sweltering days of the summer — they may need supplemental watering . Keep soil moist ( utilise mulch if necessary ) and water your crossandra plants every other sidereal day during the grow season . Never water with stale water , as it could cause root shock , which may pour down the industrial plant .
Temperature and Humidity
Crossandras enjoy the heating and humidity of atropical climate . In fact ( outside of their long bloom clip and glossy foliage ) , one of the most appealing things about crossandras is their telling leeway to heat . They have no job making it through even the hottest summer estrus in the south . They wo n’t tolerate cold , though . Anything below 55ºF will do leaf damage .
Whether you grow it indoors or out , keep your crossandra plant comfortable with mass of humidness . outside plants could benefit from a layer of mulch to keep soil moisture . For indoor plants , mist the leave occasionally and place your pot on a tray of pebbles and water so the plant can draw wet without getting soggy root .
Fertilizer
alfresco , crossandra should befertilized monthlyin summer and every two month or so during the winter months using a granular nutrient . Err on the side of care when fertilize since over - fecundation can be damaging . Indoors , use a liquid fertilizer at half - intensity level every two weeks during the summer and every calendar month during winter .
Pruning
Crossandra can have a escaped flora habit and may involve somepruning and pinchingto further practiced branching and an overall bushier industrial plant . embed in more sun will also achieve this , as shady - grown flora will be sparser and generally branched . It ’s best to start with unspoilt fork at the base , so nobble plant early to encourage branching .
Potting and Repotting Crossandra
If you are planting a seedling into a pot for recollective - term indoor growth , choose one with excellent drainage and fill it withpotting soil . Make a hole just slightly bigger than the ascendent ball and place the industrial plant in the divot , squeeze the soil firmly around the theme . H2O the plant thoroughly and put it on a slopped pebble tray to provide plentiful humidness . Keep it in a cheery placement with bright , indirect light .
Avoid repotting crossandras if you could since they do n’t respond well to being transplanted . It ’s unneeded to repot crossandra more than every few years , even if they ’re root bound . When you require to repot , employ aterra - cotta planterwith flock of drainage . Add pebble to the bottom of the pot , which should be 2 inch large than the existing pot . Make trusted the plant is moist before incite , and water it well after repotting and fill with soil .
Pests and Problems
Treat infestation ofcommon pestslike aphids and mites as soon as you see evidence of them , let in snowy powder or small webs . hear using a blast of water to start , and if that does n’t work , practice a spray with 70 % isopropyl alcohol . Avoid chemical treatments if potential .
How to Propagate Crossandra
To grow crossandra from seed , start them indoors in late winter or early leaping . fan out your seeds across a tray satiate with seminal fluid - starting mix and lightly disperse more admixture on top of the seeds . As the seeds bourgeon , you may simulate thetropical environmentthey prefer by placing the tray on a warm mat and becloud the soil regularly with a spray bottle . When the seeds sprout , split up the works into item-by-item growing peck and place them in a window with bright , indirect light until the seedlings can be transplanted outdoors or into their mean indoor pots .
Crossandra can also be spread from root cut . To do so , cut stems ( a soupcon below the node ) from existing plants in the early spring when the grow time of year start . Dip the cut stems in arooting hormoneand stick the radical in growing pots with a seed - crank mix . pee soundly and keep the flowerpot on a warming mat , mist the soil on a regular basis until you see new increase . Once new growth emerge , you’re able to move the seedlings to your desired location if the temperature is warm enough . Otherwise , keep it indoors until temperatures are well above 55 point Fahrenheit .
If you ’re growing your propagated stems indoors , you ’ll need to repot after a month or so to allow for rapid outgrowth .
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Types of Crossandra
Crossandra can be found in quite a few warm colors , butorange is the most rife .
Orange Marmalade Crossandra
Crossandra infundibuliformis’Orange Marmalade ' is a beautiful orangeness variety with swell garden performance . Zones 10 - 11
Crossandra ‘Florida Sunset’
The ‘ Florida sundown ’ crossandra cultivar has an average emergence superlative of 16 to 20 inches with a 10 to 12 - inch spreading habit . It features glossy , unripened foliage and fragrant , golden - Orange River efflorescence .
Crossandra ‘Mona Wallhead’
The ‘ Mona Wallhead ’ cultivar featuressalmon - pinkmoth - shaped heyday and grows to approximately 12 to 18 inches magniloquent and about 8 to 12 in extensive . It is slenderly more cold - unfearing than other cultivars and can occasionally tolerate temperatures as low as 32 degrees .
Crossandra ‘Lutea’
The ‘ lutea ’ cultivar ( often call xanthous crossandra or yellowish banger flower ) producesgolden yellowblooms that continue from spring until the first frost . It typically grows to close to 12 to 36 inches in pinnacle .
Crossandra Companion Plants
French Marigold
French marigoldstend to be frilly , and some bluster a typical " crested eye . " They grow roughly 8 - 12 inch high-pitched with a neat growth use and refined sour immature foliage . They do considerably in full sun with moist , well - enfeeble soil , will flower all summer long , and may reseed . zone 2 - 11
Pentas
Pentas is one of the best butterfly and hummingbird - attracting plants around . It bloom all summer long , even during the hot weather . The plant life grows well in containers and the ground — and make a good houseplant if you have enough light . It does best in full sun and moist , well - drained grunge . Pentas isgrown as an annualin most parts of the country , but it ’s sturdy in Zones 10 - 11 . Plant it outside after all peril of icing has passed .
Zinnia
A packet of zinnia seeds willfill an domain with gorgeous flowersin a few hebdomad in a fantastic regalia of shapes and color . Zinnias are so extremely attractive to butterflies that you may count on having them in your garden every afternoon . Zinnias develop promptly from seeded player sow mightily in the ground and do good in full sunlight with dry to well - drained soil . Zones 2 - 11
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes , deadheading crossandra when the blooms begin to pass encourages more prolific growth during summertime months .
Crossandra ’s leaf may flex brownish with too small water and too much direct sunshine . They thrive in raging weather , but sometimes the sun can blacken them .
Crossandra ’s semen pods will sometimes explode in the rainwhen they ’re ironical , sending seeds across the reason . This is why they ’re called " firecracker flowers . "
Credit: Doug Hetherington
No , crossandra is secure to plant in places where favorite and children play , since it has no toxic timbre .
Crossandra infundibuliformis ( Crossandra , Firecracker Flower).North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox . ( n.d . ) .
Credit: Kim Cornelison
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
