Plant Care Guide

Crossandra ‘Orange Marmalade’

Crossandra infundibuliformis ‘Orange Marmalade’

Crossandra ‘Orange Marmalade’ is a tropical flowering plant prized for its vibrant orange, fan-shaped blooms and glossy, deep green foliage. Native to Sri Lanka and Southern India, this heat-loving, humidity-loving plant thrives in warm environments and rewards growers with continuous flowers from spring through fall, and even year-round indoors under ideal conditions. Often called the firecracker plant, Crossandra is known for its showy spikes of overlapping petals and attraction to butterflies. Although tropical by nature, it adapts well as a houseplant or outdoor annual/perennial in frost-free regions, making it a versatile choice for gardeners who enjoy bold color and lush foliage.

Watering Requirements

Crossandra prefers consistent moisture and does not tolerate drying out. During the growing season (spring–summer), its soil should remain lightly moist, never soggy, never dry. Because this plant is not drought tolerant, allowing the entire pot to dry can cause leaf drop, bud drop, or stunted growth. 

Watering Schedule 

Spring–Summer: 

  • Water when the top ½–1 inch feels barely dry 
  • Keep soil evenly moist 
  • Increase frequency in hot or very sunny spaces 

Fall–Winter: 

  • Reduce watering slightly 
  • Maintain lightly moist soil, but avoid overwatering 

Indoor Plants: 

  • Use room-temperature or warm water only, cold water shocks the roots 
  • Avoid letting water stand in saucers 

Outdoor Plants: 

  • Water more frequently during heat waves 
  • Crossandra planted in beds may need watering every 1–2 days in hot climates 

Signs of Overwatering 

  • Yellowing lower leaves 
  • Root rot 
  • Flower or bud drop 

Signs of Underwatering 

  • Wilting leaves 
  • Crisp edges 
  • Flowers drying and falling prematurely 

Pro Tips

Ifyou’re unsure whether to water: gently lift the pot. Crossandra’s soil should feel lightly heavy, never bone dry and never waterlogged.

Light Requirements

Crossandra thrives in bright, indirect light or dappled sun. Outdoors, it prefers partial shade; enough morning sun or filtered light to bloom, but not so much harsh afternoon sun that its leaves scorch. 

Ideal Placement 

  • Indoors: near east- or north-facing windows 
  • Outdoors: partial shade or filtered morning sun 
  • Winter: increase light exposure; consider supplemental grow lights 

Signs of Too Much Light 

  • Scorched or bleached leaves 
  • Curling edges 

Signs of Too Little Light 

  • Leggy growth 
  • Sparse blooms 
  • Pale foliage 

Pro Tips

Winter indoor blooming improves dramatically when Crossandra receives 4–6 hours of bright indirect light plus warmth. This cultivar performs well under LED grow lights.

Soil & Potting

Crossandra prefers a fertile, well-draining, slightly acidic soil mix that holds moisture without staying soggy. 

Best Soil Mix 

  • 50% peat-based potting mix 
  • 25% compost or rich organic matter 
  • 25% perlite for aeration 
  • pH between 5.8–6.5 

Container Growing 

  • Use clay/terracotta pots to prevent waterlogging 
  • Ensure excellent drainage 
  • Repot every 2–3 years, Crossandra is sensitive to transplant shock, so repot only when rootbound 

Pro Tips

Line the bottom of the pot with a thin layer of pebbles to improve drainage and humidity without letting the roots sit in water.

Fertilizing

Crossandra is a moderate feeder and responds well to regular fertilization during its active growing months. 

Fertilizer Schedule 

Spring–Summer: 

  • Apply balanced liquid fertilizer every 2–4 weeks at half strength 

Fall–Winter: 

  • Reduce to every 6–8 weeks if growth slows 

Outdoor Plants: 

  • Monthly granular fertilizer during warm months 

Signs of Nutrient Deficiency 

  • Pale foliage 
  • Slower blooming 
  • Reduced growth 

Pro Tips

Avoid fertilizing dry soil, moisten first to prevent root burn.

Pruning & Maintenance

Pruning keeps Crossandra full, compact, and continuously blooming. 

Maintenance Tips 

  • Deadhead spent flowers regularly 
  • Pinch back leggy growth 
  • Remove damaged or yellowing leaves 
  • At the start of spring, prune lightly to encourage new shoots 

Pro Tips

Cutting off seed spikes before they form seeds directs the plant’s energy toward producing more blooms.

Common Problems & Solutions

Crossandra is relatively easy once humidity, heat, and moisture are managed, but it has a few predictable issues: 

Yellowing Leaves 

Cause: Overwatering or poor drainage 

Solution: Let soil dry slightly and improve aeration 

Leaf Drop 

Cause: Underwatering or cold exposure 

Solution: Water consistently and increase temperature 

Wilting 

Cause: Inconsistent watering 

Solution: Maintain even moisture 

Flower Drop 

Cause: Overwatering or cold air 

Solution: Adjust watering schedule; move away from drafts 

Dark, Discolored Leaves 

Cause: Cold water shock 

Solution: Switch to warm water 

Pests 

  • Mealybugs 
  • Aphids 
  • Spider mites 

Treat early with insecticidal soap or neem. 

Pro Tips

If your Crossandra suddenly stops blooming, check humidity first. Low humidity is the #1 cause of bloom slowdown in indoor plants.