Firecracker Plant Overview
Firecracker plant is a tropical shrub with many slender stems and bright red tubular flowers. The flowers are about 1 inch long and look like tiny red firecrackers, which gives the plant its common name.
This plant can grow up to about 4 feet tall and rarely has many leaves. Instead, the red flowers create most of the visual interest. In Hawaii's warm climate, firecracker plant can bloom year-round, making it useful where steady color is wanted.
Growth, Flowers and Garden Use
Firecracker plant is native to Mexico and is known scientifically as Russelia equisetiformis. In Hawaii, gardeners often use it as a low hedge, groundcover or bright border plant. Its arching stems and many small flowers can soften garden edges, walls and planted slopes.
The plant is easy to maintain because it needs little water once established. It can handle full sunlight, but it often does better with some shade, especially in hot areas. This mix of color, low water needs and simple care makes it a practical choice for many Hawaii landscapes.
Firecracker plant also adds movement and texture because its thin stems spill outward rather than standing stiffly upright. Related Hawaii flower pages include cigar flower, red ginger, ixora and hibiscus.
