PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in 6–8 hours of direct daily sunlight for maximum flowering
Watering
Water deeply when top 2–3 cm of soil is dry; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot
Temperature
Tolerates mild frost (down to 10°C) but prefers 18–28°C; protect from hard freezes
Characteristics
- Leaf: Narrow, lance-shaped, glossy green leaves arranged oppositely along stems
- Flower: Bright vermilion tubular blooms with white throats, clustered at stem tips
- Stem: Slender, branching stems with a bushy, mounding growth habit
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
Fertilization
Feed with balanced diluted fertilizer every 2–3 weeks. Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of blooms
Banana peel tea：Soak fully composted banana peels in water for 3 days, dilute 1:20 for root drench; avoid raw peels to prevent pest infestationsPruning
- Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering
- Trim leggy stems in early spring to maintain compact mounding habit
- Remove yellowing leaves to improve airflow and reduce disease risk
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA-verified non-toxic; no harmful effects from ingestion or handling
Humans: Non-toxic to humans; no reported adverse effects from ingestion or contact
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Ornamental garden plant; pollinator host for hummingbirds and butterflies
