Fuchsia is a cross between Fuchsia magellaniaca x Fuchsia coccinea x Fuchsia fulgens x Fuchsia arborescens. They prefer cooler summer temperatures and slightly acidic soils high in organic matter that retain moisture well. They do not withstand drought conditions. They are an annual that can withstand shade so makes a bright pop of color in a dark corner of the landscape or look great in a tropical landscape, or mass planted along a border. They come in prostrate, upright and drooping varieties. Upright varieties are often used in containers, or drooping ones in hanging baskets. Plants in containers or baskets will need frequent watering and protection from the wind. Flowers last from spring to fall but slow greatly in the heat of the summer. Plants will not survive cold winters so stem cuttings can be taken or whole plants cut back in the fall can be overwintered indoors. These are hybrid plants so offspring propagated by seed will not hold the same traits as the parents. It can be used as a houseplant but needs bright light, cool room temperatures, and high humidity. To increase humidity for indoor plants, consider using a humidifier or placing container plants on a tray of wet pebbles. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Spider mites, whiteflies, and aphids are occasional problems but otherwise fairly trouble-free.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheLantana camara 'Miss Huff'Petunia x hybridaSalvia rosmarinus
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Annual
Life cycle
Annual
USDA zones
10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
Light
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Prostrate; Vase; Weeping
Leaf color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite; Whorled
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Dentate; Serrate
Leaf feel
Fleshy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Mid to dark green simple, opposite to whorled, oval to elliptical, dentate to serrulate leaves, 2"-5” in length. They can have a slightly succulent texture. Red markings may be present on some cultivars.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Pink; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Raceme; Spike
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower detail
Drooping tubular flowers that come in many colors or are bicolor and can appear in the leaf axils from mid spring through fall. Flowers can be in a raceme, solitary or a spike, and they may or may not have leafy bracts. There are 4-5 sepals and 4-5 petals that overlap. The flower has the calyx, corolla, and stamens fused around the ovary in a tubular shape.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Berry; Capsule; Nut
Fruit detail
Capsule that opens at the top with many seeds or indehiscent berry or nut.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
South America, Mexico
Distribution
Found all over the world
Wildlife value
Hummingbirds are attracted to the nectar in the flowers.