Light: Gentle early-morning sun with afternoon shade or bright filtered light. Protect from intense summer sun, west-facing exposures, and reflected heat.
Water: Keep the root zone evenly moist, never soggy. Check frequently during summer, especially in containers; water when the surface begins to dry. Reduce watering in winter. Low-alkalinity water, such as collected rainwater, is beneficial.
Soil: Rich, acidic, well-drained soil with a target pH of 5.0–6.0. In Phoenix, containers filled with an acidic potting mix are generally easier to manage than native alkaline soil. Mulch without covering the stem base.
Mature size: Typically 3–6 feet tall and wide; dwarf cultivars remain about 1–3 feet tall, while larger cultivars may reach 8 feet under favorable conditions.
Bloom: Primarily spring through early summer, with occasional repeat flowering depending on cultivar and conditions. Extreme summer heat can reduce flowering.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Slow to moderate; often slower under Phoenix conditions.