How much sun does Redhead need?

Redhead grows best in full sun conditions.

Where is Redhead native?

Redhead (Hamelia patens) is native to FL, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Redhead host?

Redhead is a larval host plant for pluto sphinx moth.

Redhead

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Hamelia patens

Last reviewed: November 2026

Redhead (Hamelia patens) is a perennial shrub native to FL. It blooms in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November. The flowers draw hummingbirds and butterflies.

Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Redhead, free in the app.

Toxicity unknown

Redhead (Hamelia patens) 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

60"–144" H × 48"–96" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Native to

Pollinators

hummingbirds, butterflies

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 461 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Redhead.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Southeastern Plains Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain

A fast-growing, multi-stemmed shrub with large glossy leaves and clusters of tubular orange-red flowers produced almost continuously in warm weather. It can become leggy without periodic pruning.

Growing Redhead

Grow Redhead in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 60 to 144 inches tall and spread 48 to 96 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for pluto sphinx moth.

The nearly year-round tubular flowers are a favorite hummingbird and butterfly nectar source, and the foliage hosts pluto sphinx moth caterpillars.

Common questions

How much sun does Redhead need?: Redhead grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Redhead bloom?: Redhead blooms in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.
Where is Redhead native?: Redhead (Hamelia patens) is native to FL, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Redhead host?: Redhead is a larval host plant for pluto sphinx moth.

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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Redhead? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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