PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; tolerates hot, arid sunlight when provided with well-drained soil
Watering
Water deeply when the top 5 cm of soil dries out; drought-tolerant once established
Temperature
Hardy to -10°C; tolerates summer heat up to 38°C; avoid prolonged standing frost
Characteristics
- Leaf: Narrow, lanceolate to linear gray-green leaves; opposite arrangement, smooth margins
- Flower: Tubular scarlet blooms with a beaked lower lip; clustered in terminal racemes
- Stem: Erect, slender green to reddish-brown stems with fine pubescence
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist during bloom period; avoid waterlogging
Fertilization
Light, low-nitrogen feed once monthly. Use phosphorus-rich feed to support abundant flowering
Eggshell powder topdress：Crush dried eggshells into fine powder; sprinkle 1 tsp around the plant base and water in to release nutrients without causing soil acidityPruning
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage extended flowering through mid-summer
- Cut back stems to 10 cm above soil level after the first frost to promote healthy new growth in spring
- Thin crowded stems in early spring to improve airflow and reduce disease risk
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Non-toxic to cats; no reported toxicity
Humans: Non-toxic to humans; no known adverse health effects from ingestion or contact
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Ornamental wildflower for xeric gardens; provides nectar for hummingbirds and native bees
