Coralbean
Erythrina herbacea
Last reviewed: October 2026
Erythrina herbacea, or coralbean, is a deciduous shrub with spikes of red tubular flowers from March through May that draw hummingbirds. It thrives in full sun with medium water and handles drier spells once established.
Toxicity unknown
Coralbean (Erythrina herbacea) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
72"–144" H × 72"–96" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
AL, FL, GA, LA and 4 more states
Pollinators
hummingbirds
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
Coralbean is a native Texas shrub that produces stunning spikes of bright red tubular flowers in spring. This deciduous plant can reach 6-12 feet tall and wide, creating a bold presence in the landscape. The plant dies back in winter but returns reliably each spring with fresh growth and blooms.
Growing Coralbean
Grow Coralbean in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 72 to 144 inches tall and spread 72 to 96 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Coralbean takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Height exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Wildlife value
The bright red flowers are specifically adapted to attract hummingbirds, making this an excellent choice for bird-friendly gardens. The nectar-rich blooms provide important early season food for migrating hummingbirds.
Common questions
- When does coralbean bloom?
- Erythrina herbacea typically blooms from March through May, sending up tall spikes of red tubular flowers before or as the leaves emerge.
- What pollinates Erythrina herbacea?
- Hummingbirds are the main pollinators, feeding on nectar from the long red tubular flowers.
- How much light and water does coralbean need?
- It grows best in full sun with medium water, and mature plants tolerate drier conditions once their root system is established.
- Does coralbean lose its leaves in winter?
- Yes, it is deciduous and in cooler parts of its range the stems often die back to the ground after frost, resprouting from the base in spring.
- Is Coralbean HOA-friendly?
- Coralbean takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Coralbean? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.