{"product_id":"firecracker-red","title":"Firecracker Red","description":"\u003ch2 data-pm-slice=\"1 3 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant Overview\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFirecracker Red (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRusselia equisetiformis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e), also known as Firecracker Plant or Coral Plant, is a vibrant tropical flowering shrub admired for its slender, arching stems and clusters of brilliant red, tubular flowers. Its graceful, fountain-like growth creates a cascading display resembling tiny firecrackers. A favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies, this heat-tolerant perennial brings long-lasting color and movement to Florida landscapes. Firecracker Red is ideal for garden borders, mass plantings, raised beds, hanging baskets, and decorative containers where its flowing stems can spill naturally over the edges.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKey Plant Characteristics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRusselia equisetiformis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Firecracker Red, Firecracker Plant, Coral Plant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Tropical perennial flowering shrub\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 3–5 feet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMature Spread:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 6–8 feet or wider\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Arching, cascading, and fountain-like\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Fine, slender green stems with small, reduced leaves\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Bright red, tubular blooms hanging in clusters\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlooming Season:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Spring through fall, with nearly year-round flowering in warm climates\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 9b–11\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlorida Growing Zones:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Best suited to Central and South Florida, particularly Zones 9b–11; requires cold protection in colder areas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSunlight Requirements:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Full sun\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecial Features:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, drought-tolerant once established, moderately salt-tolerant, and excellent for cascading landscape displays\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant Care Guide\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Plant in full sun, ideally receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for abundant flowering.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWatering:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Water regularly during establishment. Once established, the plant tolerates occasional drought but flowers best with consistent moisture during dry periods.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoil:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Prefers well-draining soil and adapts to Florida's sandy conditions. Avoid standing water and consistently saturated soil.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFertilizing:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer lightly during the growing season if needed. Avoid excessive feeding.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePruning:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Trim overgrown stems to maintain shape and encourage fuller growth. Older plants may benefit from occasional rejuvenation pruning.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCold Protection:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Protect from frost and freezing temperatures, especially in North and colder parts of Central Florida. Established plants may recover from mild winter damage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePests \u0026amp; Diseases:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Generally resistant to serious pest problems. Maintain good drainage and monitor for occasional insect damage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional Care Tips:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Allow plenty of room for its naturally spreading branches. Plant along retaining walls or in elevated containers to showcase its cascading flowers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"1 gallon","offer_id":50180885807381,"sku":null,"price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 gallon","offer_id":50180885840149,"sku":null,"price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0882\/6834\/1525\/files\/163.jpg?v=1789661346","url":"https:\/\/discountplantsdirect.com\/products\/firecracker-red","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}