Firebush
Hamelia patens
A very drought-tolerant shrub with vibrant red-orange summer flowers that are irresistible to hummingbirds.
Hardy in USDA zones 9-11; freezes to the ground below the mid-20s but resprouts reliably, and it thrives in extreme low-desert summer heat.
AMWUA Notes
A heat-loving shrub that becomes drought tolerant once established; a top hummingbird and butterfly nectar plant treated as a cut-back perennial.
Care Guide
Water every 7-10 days in summer for lush growth and continuous bloom; it is heat-loving and fairly drought tolerant once established.
It blooms on new wood and freezes back in winter, so cut it to the ground in late winter after frost; it flushes fresh red-tinged growth and flowers all summer.
A light spring feeding supports the vigorous regrowth.
Generally pest-free.
A warm-season shrub that dies back in frost and resurges in heat, carrying red-orange tubular flowers and dark berries from summer into fall that hummingbirds and birds love.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Well-drained soils; tolerates alkaline pH and adapts to enriched garden soil.
Needs well-drained soil.
Low feeder.
From softwood cuttings or seed.
3-4 ft
Non-aggressive roots; safe near pools, walls, and foundations.
Placement Tips
- •A rounded 4 ft mound; space 3-4 ft apart or cluster for a bold summer color mass.
- •Excels in reflected heat against south and west walls and around pool decks.
- •Low litter and clean summer habit make it genuinely pool-friendly.
- •Give it the hottest full-sun spot; it stays small and shy-blooming in shade.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Firebush? Our landscape team sources from wholesale nurseries and can incorporate it into your design.
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Use this care guide to maintain your Firebush. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Firebush — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Firebush need in Phoenix?
Firebush is a low-water shrub once established. Water every 7-10 days in summer for lush growth and continuous bloom; it is heat-loving and fairly drought tolerant once established. A heat-loving shrub that becomes drought tolerant once established; a top hummingbird and butterfly nectar plant treated as a cut-back perennial.
How big does Firebush get?
Expect roughly 4 ft tall and 4 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 3-4 ft of spacing when planting. Non-aggressive roots; safe near pools, walls, and foundations.
Can you plant Firebush near a pool?
Yes. Firebush is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Firebush handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Firebush is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 9-11; freezes to the ground below the mid-20s but resprouts reliably, and it thrives in extreme low-desert summer heat. A warm-season shrub that dies back in frost and resurges in heat, carrying red-orange tubular flowers and dark berries from summer into fall that hummingbirds and birds love.
Does Firebush have thorns?
No. Firebush is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Firebush safe around pets?
Firebush is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Firebush bloom in Arizona?
Firebush blooms in summer, with red-orange flowers. The bloom draws hummingbirds.
How much maintenance does Firebush need?
Firebush is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. It blooms on new wood and freezes back in winter, so cut it to the ground in late winter after frost; it flushes fresh red-tinged growth and flowers all summer.
What kind of soil does Firebush need?
Well-drained soils; tolerates alkaline pH and adapts to enriched garden soil. Nutrient needs are low. A light spring feeding supports the vigorous regrowth.
Is Firebush native to Arizona?
No. Firebush is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Florida, South America, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.