Coral fountain is an aptly named cascading perennial that’s truly sensational when in full bloom. It looks straight out of the tropics, but does surprisingly well in the desert landscape. Here’s how to care for this eye-catching Mexican native.
Coral fountain (Russelia equisetiformis) is an evergreen plant that’s a “shrubby-perennial” — not quite a perennial and not quite a shrub. Branches start out erect and then gradually form arches laden with tubular coral-red flowers. The bright green leaves are tiny and collectively give coral fountain a fern-like appearance.
Its showy clusters of coral flowers give this plant a tropical feel, which is unsurprising since this plant originates from the tropics of Mexico and Central America. There truly is nothing else like this that grows in the desert southwest.
In mild winters, coral fountain can bloom all year round, providing much-needed nectar to pollinators during the winter months. Hummingbirds and butterflies find the brilliant tubular flowers wildly attractive.
Why I Like This Plant
- Cascades of coral-red flowers much of the year
- Hummingbird and butterfly magnet
- Relatively low maintenance
- No thorns, low litter, not toxic
Things to Watch Out For
Coral fountain is a tropical plant, so it’s not as cold hardy and likes more water than many desert landscape plants.
(This is one of the few plants I’ll cover during a freeze. It’s so beautiful and the hummers love it, so I think it’s worth it. My philosophy is usually “survival of the fittest” when it comes to cold.)
If you have trouble with rabbits, you’ll need to protect this plant. Rabbits like to nibble on coral fountain, especially young plants.
Optimal Growing Conditions
If you’re thinking of adding a coral fountain to your garden, you need to find a suitable place that will keep it healthy and looking good… while minimizing maintenance for you.
Here are the key factors to keep in mind.
Temperature
Coral fountain should be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 – 11. It will survive temperatures as low as 25℉ but may show some frost damage when the temperature dips below 32℉, unless it’s covered.
This plant can get stressed when exposed to reflected heat. So don’t plant it in the hottest spot in your garden unless it gets some afternoon shade.
Sun Exposure
Coral fountain can be grown in full sun to part shade, but it appreciates some afternoon shade when grown in the hottest locations.
It can be planted in full shade, and won’t need as much water there, making it one of the few plants that can thrive in the desert’s dry shade. But this will mean fewer flowers.
Size and Growth Rate
It’s a fast grower that ultimately can reach a size of 3 to 5 feet tall and wide. When grown in a container, its size will be limited by the size of the pot.
Soil
Coral fountain will grow in most kinds of soil, provided it’s well-draining. But when researching this plant, I found words like “loam, rich, fertile, damp” used to describe its soil preference. So I would suggest adding amendments to the soil when planting.
Other Location Considerations
Because it has no thorns, is non-toxic, and low litter, coral fountain can be used near a pool, sidewalk, or anywhere it might come in contact with pets and people. If it does lose flowers or leaves, such as during drought or in the fall, they are small and insignificant.
Coral fountain’s cascading form makes it an ideal plant to grow around ponds and water features, or cascading over banks or walls.
Since it likes rich soil and some moisture, it’s well-suited for containers or raised beds.
Coral Fountain:
The Essentials
| Common Names | Coral fountain |
| Scientific Name | Russelia equisetiformis |
| Origin | Mexico, Central America |
| Plant Type | Evergreen shrubby perennial |
| USDA Zones | Zones 9 – 11 |
| Cold Hardiness | To 25℉ |
| Flower Color | Coral-red |
| Flower Season | Spring, summer, fall |
| Mature Size | 3-5’ high x 3-5’ wide |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Sun Tolerance | Full, part sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate |
| Garden Friendly | No thorns, low litter, non-toxic |
| Wildlife | Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies |
How to Plant
The rule of thumb when planting any shrub or tree in the desert is to dig a hole three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper.
Most desert landscape plants perform better when their soil is not amended, but coral fountain is an exception. This is one of the few desert plants that can benefit from adding amendments like compost or soil mix to the soil when planting.
When to Plant
The best time to plant coral fountain is in the fall. This gives your plant three seasons to grow roots and get established before the following summer.
The second best time is in spring, the earlier the better. This still gives your plant time to get established before the intense heat of June arrives.
How to Care for Coral Fountain
Whether you’ve recently planted a coral fountain or have an existing plant in your yard, here’s how to take care of it to keep it healthy and looking its best.
How to Water New Plants
Once you’ve got your coral fountain in the ground, watering is your most immediate concern. Here is the recommended watering schedule for new shrubs planted in the spring or fall.
| Weeks 1 & 2 | Every 3 – 4 days |
| Weeks 3 & 4 | Every 5 – 7 days |
| Weeks 5 & 6 | Every 7 – 10 days |
| Weeks 7 & 8 | Every 10 – 14 days |
How to Water Established Plants
As your plant gets established, there are two watering factors to consider.
- First is how often to water. This will vary with the seasons.
- Second is how much water to give your shrub with each watering. This depends on the current size of your plant.
To determine the ideal watering schedule for coral fountain you’ll find everything you need to know, including easy-to-use charts, at How to Water Desert Shrubs: How Often? How Much? (Since it’s a tropical rather than desert native, be sure to use the “High Water Use” chart.)
Should You Fertilize?
Since coral fountain did not evolve to grow in our desert southwest soil and is a prolific bloomer, it benefits from an application of fertilizer in the spring. If you grow it in a container, fertilize more frequently.
How to Prune
Coral fountain does not need regular pruning as a matter of course, but it’s advised that you prune mature plants back to half their size every other spring to keep them looking their best.
It’s not unusual for coral fountain to lose some stems due to frost damage. If this happens, simply prune damaged portions in the late winter or early spring.
Do not trim coral fountain like a shrub. Doing so will ruin its naturally beautiful shape. If you notice a dead, damaged, or unruly stem that needs to be removed, cut it all the way back to the base of the plant. This will refresh your plant and encourage new growth.
Don’t Confuse Coral Fountain With…
While coral fountain is a unique plant that doesn’t look like any other plant grown in the desert, it has a number of common names including firecracker plant. So it’s sometimes confused with firecracker bush (Hamelia patens).
This is a native shrub from Florida that has standard size green leaves and orange flowers. It’s commonly grown here as a desert landscape plant, as well.
Plant Lover Facts
Coral fountain (Russelia equisetiformis) goes by a number of common names including coral bush, coral plant, fountainbush, and fountain plant.
Its species name, equisetiformis refers to its looking like horsetails (Equisetum).
This Mexican native has naturalized around the world and can now be found growing wild in parts of Florida, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and western Africa.
Have you grown this plant?
Was it a “hit” or a “miss” in your garden?
Please share your experience in the comments below!
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Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for 15 years.
