Key Features
- Orange Marmalade variety produces vivid orange, funnel-shaped blooms above glossy green foliage.
- Tropical flowering plant with an upright, compact growth habit and attractive evergreen leaves.
- Long-lasting ornamental blooms add vibrant color to flower beds, borders, containers, and indoor spaces.
- Warm-climate favorite that performs well in humid conditions with partial shade or gentle sunlight.
- Excellent ornamental choice for cottage gardens, tropical gardens, patios, and flowering containers.
Growing Benefits
- Adds bright orange color to shaded and partially shaded garden areas.
- Suitable for containers, houseplant growing, borders, and warm-climate landscapes.
- Glossy evergreen foliage provides attractive greenery even between flowering periods.
- Thrives in warm, humid conditions when provided with consistent moisture.
- Flowers can continue appearing through much of the year in suitable climates.
Seed Specifications
Common Name: Orange Marmalade Crossandra, Crossandra, Firecracker Flower
Botanical Name: Crossandra infundibuliformis
Plant Type: Tropical evergreen flowering perennial or tender subshrub
Colors: Bright orange flowers with glossy green foliage
Height: Approximately one to three feet
Sunlight: Partial shade to bright filtered light; gentle full sun can work with adequate moisture
Soil: Fertile, organically rich, well-draining soil
Water: Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged
Germination Time: Approximately seven to ten days under suitable propagation conditions
Sowing Depth: Lightly cover the seed or sow shallowly according to seed size
Spacing: About eighteen to twenty-four inches for garden-grown plants
Growing Zones: Generally suited to USDA Zones ten to eleven; colder areas can grow it as an annual or container plant
Flowering/Maturity: Flowers during warm conditions and may bloom for extended periods
Uses: Flower beds, borders, containers, patios, houseplants, tropical gardens, and ornamental displays
Growing Tips
- Start seeds in a warm, protected location where temperatures remain consistently mild.
- Use a fine, well-draining seed-starting medium and avoid burying the seeds deeply.
- Keep the growing medium gently moist while seeds are establishing, without creating soggy conditions.
- Provide filtered or partial sunlight and protect young plants from cold temperatures and harsh afternoon exposure.
Seed Storage
Store unused seeds in a sealed, moisture-resistant container in a cool, dry, dark location. Keep them away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. Because Crossandra seed viability can decline relatively quickly, fresher seed is preferable for propagation.
Unique Facts About Seeds
- Crossandra is commonly called Firecracker Flower because its mature seed capsules can split explosively when exposed to moisture.
- The botanical name infundibuliformis refers to the plant's funnel- or trumpet-shaped flowers.
- Each Crossandra fruit capsule can contain several rounded seeds and may open suddenly when touched or exposed to moisture.
- Orange Marmalade is recognized as a cultivar of Crossandra infundibuliformis and is noted for its bright orange flowers.