General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Wet Mesic
Soil pH Preferences: Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5)
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 9b -3.9 °C (25 °F) to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 11
Plant Height: 4-6 feet
Plant Spread: 3-5 feet
Leaves: Evergreen
Other: Large, 8" long x 4" wide, heavily dimpled & shiny
Flowers: Showy
Blooms on new wood
Flower Color: Orange
Other: Extremely showy blooms in dense, brilliant orange clusters.
Bloom Size: 1"-2"
Flower Time: Other: Blooms off and on all year, heaviest in spring and fall.
Wildlife Attractant: Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Other: Easy to propagate; starts readily from cuttings.
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger

Image
Common names
  • Mexican Honeysuckle
  • Orange Plume
  • Orange Flame
Also sold as:
  • Justicia 'Orange Flame'

Photo Gallery
Location: Arbor Gate Nursery, Tomball, TX
Date: 2013-10-05
  • Uploaded by jon
Location: Zone 9 Louisiana in my backyard
Date: 2018-05-18
Sometimes called 'Orange Flame' chrysotephana justicia
Location: Beaufort, SC
Date: 2018-06-08
Location: Youngsville, LA
Date: 2015-05-27
By tabbycat

Date: 2014-03-20

Date: 2014-03-20
Location: Arbor Gate Nursery, Tomball, TX
Date: 2013-10-05
  • Uploaded by jon

Date: 2014-03-26
Photo by rattlebox
Photo by rattlebox

Date: 2014-03-20
Comments:
  • Posted by rattlebox (Naples, Florida - Zone 10a) on Mar 20, 2014 9:59 AM concerning plant:
    Justicia 'Sidicaro' blooms are very similar to those of Justicia spicigera, and the plant has been considered a possible hybrid of J. spicigera (probably based on that flower similarity). It is also recognized that J. 'Sidicaro' may be an undescribed species. I personally subscribe to the undescribed species theory as I currently have seedling offspring of J 'Sidicaro' about 2½ feet tall and just coming into bloom. So far, the seedling plants appear virtually identical to each other and to the parent in every aspect. There is absolutely no tendency toward the growth habit of J. spicigera.

    The two plants are easily told apart.

    J. 'Sidicaro' is much larger with a much coarser growth form. The leaves are 6-8" in length and 3-4" wide. They are bullate (sometimes heavily dimpled), smooth and glossy. Flower clusters are dense and held close to the stem.

    By contrast, J. spicigera leaves are 2½-3" in length, generally flat, and velvety pubescent. Blooms are held in loose rather than dense clusters.
  • Posted by tabbycat (Youngsville, LA - Zone 9b) on Jun 11, 2018 8:37 PM concerning plant:
    This justicia plant variety called "Mexican Honeysuckle" has large shiny leaves so I refer to it as 'Sidicaro' because I have another justicia plant called "Mexican Honeysuckle" that has 2" leaves that are fuzzy. 'Sidicaro' makes a pompom-like cluster, whereas the other makes individual 1" to 2" pips on branch ends. Both have orange blooms and attract hummingbirds. 'Sidicaro' is very colorful several times a year when it can have a dozen of the 3" pompoms blooming at the same time. My 3'x2' bush is like that at this time, 6-11-18.

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