Crossandra (Firecracker Flower)
Crossandra infundibuliformis
📖 About this plant
Crossandra (Crossandra infundibuliformis), commonly called the Firecracker Flower, is a popular flowering shrub native to India and Sri Lanka, prized for its showy salmon-orange flowers that bloom in upright spikes almost year-round. The common name “Firecracker Flower” comes from the way the flower buds open — with a small audible “pop” when the bud bursts open, especially in high humidity. In Indian gardens, Crossandra is a staple — it is one of the most commonly used flowers for hair garlands (gajras) and for religious offerings, particularly in South India where the flowers are strung into long garlands for temple decoration and brides. The plant forms a compact bush with glossy dark green foliage and produces spikes of bright orange flowers that rise above the leaves. Each spike produces flowers sequentially over 2-3 weeks, providing continuous colour. Crossandra thrives in warm, humid conditions and is perfect for partial shade locations where many flowering plants struggle — making it ideal for courtyards, north-facing borders, and balconies. The plant blooms best with some direct sun (morning is ideal) but appreciates afternoon shade in hot regions. It is also well-suited to container growing and makes an excellent houseplant in bright indirect light.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Partial sun to partial shade
2-3 times per week
Moderate (50-70%)
20-32°C
Well-draining loamy soil enriched with organic matter; pH 6.0-7.0
Apply balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during growing season
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- India and Sri Lanka
- 📏 Max height
- 30-90 cm (1-3 ft)
- 📐 Spread
- 30-45 cm (12-18 inches)
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Year-round in tropics; peak spring to autumn
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Salmon-orange (most common), also red, yellow, and pink
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Dark glossy green, oval leaves 5-10 cm long
- ⏳ Lifespan
- 3-5 years as a perennial; longer in ideal conditions
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate — reaches mature size in 4-6 months
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic — safe for humans and pets
- 🌱 Propagation
- Seeds (germinate in 2-3 weeks), stem cuttings (root in 4-6 weeks in moist soil)
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic — safe for humans and pets
Common issues
- Spider mites in dry conditions, mealybugs, aphids on flower spikes, leaf spot in humid weather, bud drop from irregular watering or temperature swings, root rot from overwatering, leaf yellowing from nutrient deficiency
💡 Care tips
- Plant in partial shade — Crossandra is one of the few flowering plants that thrives in less-than-full sun, making it perfect for courtyards and balconies. Pinch young plants to encourage bushy growth. Remove faded flower spikes to encourage reblooming. Keep soil evenly moist — Crossandra is sensitive to both drought and waterlogging. Mulch heavily to retain soil moisture. In cold regions, grow in containers and bring indoors before frost. The plant is perfect for growing in pots — use a 10-12 inch container with well-draining potting mix. Feed with balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Crossandra makes an excellent houseplant in bright indirect light — perfect for an east-facing window. Propagate by stem cuttings in spring or summer for new plants. The flowers are long-lasting in garlands — pick in the morning and use the same day for best results.
