•Status in Florida: Native
•Size at Maturity: Typically grows 4 to 8 feet tall and wide, with a moderate growth rate.
•Phenology: Evergreen shrub with opposite leaves and tubular orange to red flowers in terminal clusters.
•Life Cycle: Perennial
•Bloom Season: Spring to fall, with peak bloom in summer and fall.
•Deciduous, Dioecious, Evergreen: Evergreen
•Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
•Soil Texture: Well-drained sandy or loamy soils
•Soil pH: Tolerant of a wide range, but prefers slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0)
•Moisture Requirements: Prefers moderately moist soil, but can tolerate drought once established
•Tolerance to Salt Spray: Moderate tolerance
•Recommended Landscape Uses: Butterfly gardens, pollinator gardens, native plant gardens, hedge or screen plantings, wildlife habitats
•Maintenance Tips: Prune as needed to maintain shape and remove dead or damaged branches. Firebush may benefit from occasional fertilization to promote healthy growth.
•Considerations: Firebush is generally pest and disease resistant but may be susceptible to scale insects and sooty mold. Some cultivars may be thorny.
•Deer and/or Rabbit Resistance: Moderately resistant; typically not preferred by deer or rabbits.
•Edible: The ripe berries of Firebush are edible, but they have a bitter taste and are not commonly consumed.
•Medicinal Uses: Traditionally used in folk medicine for various purposes, including as a treatment for skin conditions and gastrointestinal issues.
•Toxicity to Pets: Not known to be toxic to pets, but ingestion of large quantities of berries may cause gastrointestinal upset.
•Florida Native Companion Plant: Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), coontie (Zamia integrifolia)
•Wildlife Benefit: Firebush provides nectar for butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. The berries are eaten by birds and small mammals.
•Caterpillar Host Plant: Firebush is a host plant for the caterpillars of various butterflies, including the Dorantes longtail (Urbanus dorantes) and the fiery skipper (Hylephila phyleus).
