Crossandra Orange

Family

Acanthaceae

Origin

India & Sri Lanka

Description

Aboli or Crossandra is an erect, herbaceous perennial ever green semi shrub growing to a height of 4ft . Commonly called Fire Cracker because of its mature brackets cracking sound when put in water . Aboli has glossy, wavy-margined leaves and fan-shaped flowers, which may appear at any time throughout the year.The flowers are unusually shaped with 3 to 5 asymmetrical petals. They grow from four-sided stalked spikes, and have a tube-like inch stalk.

Crossandra flowers are produced on exotic four-sided inflorescences which grow from the upper portions of the new growth.Within these four-sided growths are numerous buds, each of which produce a flat coral-orange flower

Arka Ambara variety blooms with bright orange flowers

Environment

Crossandra enjoys the heat and high humidity. Crossandra could be cultivated in a wide range of soils. Fertile, red loamy soils with pH range of 6 to 7.5 are ideal for its cultivation

Keep the soil slightly moist with warm water in summer, reduce water during winter. Cold water triggers a state of shock causing the Crossandra plant to die.

Feed it using a liquid fertilizer for houseplants every two weeks from April to August and mist lightly when having challenges with humidity.

Landscape Use

Specimen or grouping or mass for shrub borders or foundations. Also effective as an informal hedge or low screen.