Coral Bean
Erythrina herbacea
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Sep 22, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Coral Bean
Coral bean (Erythrina herbacea) is a Florida native shrub or small tree producing vivid scarlet tubular flowers on tall spikes in spring, followed by seed pods containing brilliant red seeds. The showy blooms are a magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies. Starting at $7.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Flower Color
- Red
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. New foliage emerges. Good planting window.
Bloom season. Handles summer heat well once established.
Foliage may begin to change or drop. Ideal planting window.
Dormant — drops foliage.
Care essentials
Grow in full sun to part shade; full sun produces the most prolific spring flower display on tall spikes that hummingbirds love.
Drought-tolerant once established; rarely needs supplemental irrigation in NE Florida after the first season. Avoid wet, poorly drained sites.
Thrives in sandy, well-drained soils typical of NE Florida; minimal fertilizer needed. Cut stems to the ground after hard freezes — new growth emerges from the roots each spring.
Similar needs
Deerberry
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Firebush
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Florida Privet
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Quailberry
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Rusty Lyonia
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Silverthorn
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Common questions
Is Coral Bean a good plant for St. Augustine?
Coral Bean is a shrub for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 5-10 feet (shrub in north FL, dying to roots each winter and resprouting; tree form only in frost-free south FL) × 6-10 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.