Dicliptera

( dik - LIP - terr - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Dicliptera, also called Hummingbird Bush, Firecracker Plant, and Uruguayan Firecracker Plant, is a group of perennials with tube-like blossoms. They do not take well to cold weather. The flowers on these shrubs will attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your garden. Grow these plants in hanging baskets, in mixed flower beds, or in borders. 

Dicliptera Species and Varietals

The genus Dicliptera belongs to the Bear's Breeches family, Acanthaceae. Growing zones for Dicliptera vary by species; see the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Dicliptera sericea (Dicliptera suberecta)
Native to Uruguay and Argentina, these woody perennials grow to 2 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide. It grows best in zones 12, 13, 15-17, 19, and 21-24. Leaves are greyish-green and downy. In summer, clusters of bright orange-red flowers attract hummingbirds. Needs moderate to regular water, though once established it can receive only supplemental water in the warmest times of the year.

Caring for and pruning Dicliptera shrubs

Firecracker Plant is considered low-maintenance, but does require great drainage to thrive. After these are planted, they require very little work and actually thrive on neglect. Plant in full sun (at least five hours of sun per day), and provide supplemental water as it is establishing itself as well as during the warmest months of the year. Water from the base of the plant to avoid issues. These plants do not need to be fertilized. Cut the plant nearly to the base in fall to rejuvenate it for the coming year's new growth. It will enter its dormancy in wintertime and come back strong in spring. Dicliptera will grow well in a pot, as well, though it will require a bit more care and watering than its in-ground counterparts. These shrubs actually flower more profusely in pots when they are slightly root-bound, so don't pot them up too quickly.

Propagation

Hummingbird Plant can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Dicliptera by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. Choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to eight weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth on your propagation, you'll know you have roots.
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Dicliptera by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need an envelope, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed pods on Dicliptera plants are left behind after flowers fade, and once they are turning brown they are ready to drop their seeds. Harvest the seeds out of these pods (as many as you can!) and place them in an envelope until you are ready to use them.
  3. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Problems and Pests

Dicleptera shrubs do not suffer from pest or disease issues.
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Gallery

Dicliptera shrubs add color and interest with both their foliage and flowers.
Hummingbirds, as well as bees and butterflies, will be drawn to your garden if you plant Firecracker Plant.
Firecracker Plant can be cut back almost to the ground yearly to improve its shape and discourage legginess.

Videos

There are no videos available at this time.

Resources

How to Grow Dicliptera suberecta from Seed
How to Grow Dicliptera suberecta
How to Grow Dicliptera Hummingbird Plant
Plant Profile: Dicliptera suberecta, Firecracker Plant
Wikipedia: Dicliptera
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 288, Dicliptera
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