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Scientific name	Russelia equisetiformis
Common name	Firecracker plant
Temperature requirement	25-35 °C
Humidity	40-50%
Light	Bright light to full sun
Watering	Water everyday &keep moist
Pests	Mites, caterpillars, and nematodes.
Pet friendliness	Toxic to pets and humans
Maximum plant height	100-150cm
Potting mix	Potting soil/red soil/manure/perlite
Pot requirement	Good drainage&repot every 1-2 years
Nutrition	Apply manure for first 15 days and npk for next 15 days
Pruning & training	Remove dead & diseased leaves with sterile shears
Common color & season	Bright red in may – october
Description	The firecracker plant originates from tropical and subtropical regions between mexico and peru. Its green stems perform photosynthesis, while the foliage has degenerated to tiny, short lived scales. It is widely distributed in frost free regions for its year-round flowering, with its peak in summer and early autumn. Reaching up to 3 cm in length, the tubular flowers appear mainly at the twigs’ end, where they are pollinated by insects. Seeds develop in capsules and are best harvested by attaching a bag to the branches. Sowing is one way to multiply this plant, but softwood cuttings also grow easily. The latter method is necessary to achieve plants with similar characteristics. Some cultivars have flowers in a yellow or cream colour. In open ground, this plant forms a green fountain, when hundreds of wiry twigs sprout up and topple over when extending their length. In this manner they reach a height of 1.5 Metres and a width of 2 metres. The virtues of russelia are much better presented where it cascades over a wall or the edges of a raised container. It demands good drainage and tolerates some drought when established. Frequent irrigation and regular fertilising guarantee healthy growth and sustained flowering. Exposure to wind is accepted, and firecracker plants tolerate both acidic and alkaline soils. It has adapted well to the conditions in gulf regions, and planted in masses it makes an attractive area cover on slopes. Maintenance is limited to occasional cutting back to rejuvenate growth every two or three years.