{"product_id":"firebush-5-pot","title":"Firebush - 5\" Pot","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirebush (Hamelia patens) is a vigorous evergreen shrub grown for its showy clusters of slender, tubular orange-red flowers that bloom almost year-round in warm climates. Native to the American tropics, it has reddish stems and bronze-tinged leaves that flush deeper red in full sun, followed by small black berries. A magnet for butterflies, sunbirds and bees, it is heat- and drought-tolerant once established, making it an outstanding low-maintenance choice for Indian gardens. Use it as a colourful hedge, border or container plant. It thrives in full sun and rewards minimal care with constant colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRubiaceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eNative region\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical Americas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature height\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.5-3 m\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature spread\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1-2.5 m\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFoliage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen, bronze-tinged green leaves\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower colour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrange to red\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower season\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlmost year-round in warm climates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eClimate zone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical and subtropical\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSunlight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun for best colour and bloom.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWatering\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow to moderate; drought-tolerant once set.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSoil \/ mix\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWell-drained soil; tolerates most types.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThrives at 18-40°C; frost-tender.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHumidity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdapts to low and moderate humidity.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFertilizer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLight balanced feeding in growing season.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePruning\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrune to shape; tolerates hard cutback.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRepotting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRepot every 1-2 years when root-bound.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePropagation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCuttings and seed.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePests \u0026amp; problems\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLargely pest-free; occasional aphids.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eToxicity \/ safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally low toxicity; berries not for eating.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eUses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlanted as a vibrant flowering hedge, border or container shrub and is prized as a butterfly and sunbird attractor in pollinator gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGive it full sun and well-drained soil; it tolerates heat and drought and flowers nearly all year in warm Indian regions. Prune hard if it gets leggy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow often should I water Firebush?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater moderately while establishing, then it becomes drought-tolerant. Let the topsoil dry between waterings and avoid soggy conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow much sunlight does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFirebush loves full sun, which gives the deepest leaf colour and the heaviest flush of orange-red flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs Firebush safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is regarded as low in toxicity, but the berries are not meant for eating, so discourage pets and children from chewing on it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhen should I repot it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eRepot container plants every one to two years in spring when roots fill the pot, using fresh well-drained potting mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I propagate Firebush?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt grows easily from softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings and from seed in the ripe black berries. Keep cuttings warm and moist until rooted.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy is my Firebush not blooming?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eToo little sun or over-fertilising with nitrogen leads to leaves over flowers. Move it to full sun and feed sparingly to boost blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhen does it flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn warm climates it flowers almost continuously through the year, peaking in the warm and humid months.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in a pot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. It does well in large containers in full sun on terraces and balconies; prune to keep it compact and bushy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDoes it really attract butterflies?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. The tubular flowers are a top nectar source for butterflies, sunbirds and bees, making it ideal for pollinator gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat fertiliser should I use?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eA light application of balanced fertiliser during the growing season is enough; too much feeding favours foliage at the expense of flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vedicflora","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51256121786614,"sku":"PLT-FIREBUSH-P05-NA","price":99.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/4980\/6326\/files\/nurserylive-g-hamelia-patens-dwarf-plant-714218.jpg?v=1783921523","url":"https:\/\/vedicflora.com\/products\/firebush-5-pot","provider":"vedicflora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}