Firefly Plant

Firefly Plant (Justicia rizzinii 'Firefly') flowers when the garden is at its dullest. Through the cooler months it hangs hundreds of small tubular blooms, scarlet at the base and tipped bright yellow, along arching stems on a neat mound about 80cm tall and 80cm wide. It does that in part shade, which most winter flowering shrubs cannot, and honeyeaters find it quickly.

Why you'll love it

• It flowers through the cool season. The display runs from autumn into spring, when most shrubs do nothing.
• Happy in part shade. A shaded courtyard or the southern side of a house suits it, where sun loving shrubs go thin.
• Honeyeaters visit daily. The tubular shape is built for nectar feeders, and they work it right through flowering.
• Neat without pruning. It holds its 80cm mound on its own at the front of a bed.

Where it works best

Borders and edging. Plant 60cm apart along a shaded path or bed edge, where the mounds meet and the flowering reads as one band.

Pots and containers. A 300mm pot suits a single plant, placed near a door or window where the winter flowers show.

Mass planting. Five to seven under an established tree turn a dim corner into the brightest part of the garden from May.

Growing Firefly Plant in Australia

Position and climate. Part shade, with morning sun and shelter from hot afternoon glare. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens, from Cairns to Sydney and Perth. It takes light frost only, so in Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart grow it in a pot under eaves or against a warm wall.

Soil. Free draining soil enriched with compost. It handles humidity but not wet feet, so raise the bed on heavy clay and mulch 50mm deep, kept off the stems.

Water and feed. Water twice a week through the first summer, then as needed. It is drought tolerant once established but flowers better with steady moisture. Feed controlled release fertiliser in early spring and mid summer, before buds set.

Pruning. Trim lightly straight after flowering finishes in spring. Flowers form on summer growth, so late pruning removes the coming display.

What to expect when it arrives

It is sold as tube stock and in 200mm pots in packs of six. Tubes are young single stemmed plants, the value choice for mass planting, and take a season or two to flower. The 200mm plants are branched and established, and flower in their first season.

Both sizes travel boxed and upright, and some leaf or bud drop in transit is normal rather than a fault. Plant within a week of arrival and expect a quiet month while the roots move. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More for a dim bed in plants for partial shade.
• Creating a backyard bird sanctuary covers what else to plant for nectar feeders.
• See more colour in flowering plants.
• Compare compact choices in plants for small gardens.

Common questions

When exactly does it flower?

Mostly through the cooler months, from autumn into early spring, heaviest in winter in subtropical gardens. Warm climates give a longer window than cool ones.

Will it flower in full shade?

Not well. It needs part shade rather than deep shade, so aim for a few hours of morning sun or bright dappled light.

Can I grow it in a cold southern garden?

Only with shelter. It tolerates light frost, so a pot you can move under cover, or a north facing wall, gives it the best chance.