Last updated on May 31st, 2023 at 06:20 am
One of the main sweets that are associated with Halloween is candy corn. Perhaps, this is your favorite candy. But do you know some flowers look like this sweet-savory treat? Halloween or not, these gorgeous flowers undoubtedly will make an extraordinary addition to your garden!
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How to pick out flowers that look like candy corn?
For your information, commercially, there are four types of candy corn sweets. The first one is the usual candy corn people serve on Halloween. The other three are called cupid corn, designated for Valentine, reindeer corn for Christmas, and bunny corn that’s made for Easter. Each candy is in the same shape, only different in colors.
In this article, we’re going to help you identify flowers that look like the usual candy corn, that are elongated triangular-shaped with yellow, orange, and a little bit of white color towards the end.
This candy corn flower is predominantly coming from the subtropical or tropical areas of the world and is rather tall but small in flower size. Equal to their appearance, this flower is also mostly grown as an ornamental plant. Because of their natural habitat and ‘bizarre’ looks, you might have to spend extra energy and time to find these plants.
What can you do with flowers that look like candy corn?
Aside from being an ornamental plant, locals also used candy corn flowers like Mexican Cigar Flower to make oils, soaps, and shampoos. They produce fatty acids that are similar to palm kernels. As for red hot pokers, they have nectars that are attractive to animals like bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
Red hot pokers’ nectar is also drinkable and can be used for creams and ointments. Although there’s no further research about desfontainia spinosa, another candy corn flower, people in Chile have been using the leaf part of the flower since they’re narcotic. Please always look for other medical advice before using this flower, both for health and beauty purposes.
Flowers that look like candy corn.
As you might have been wondering, below are several flowers that share a striking similarity with your Halloween treat. You can make the other as an alternative or make them as a companion for your existing plants. The bright yellow and orange colors will also match well if your garden is tropical-themed!
1. Candy Corn Plant (Cuphea micropetala)
The name says it all. This native Mexican plant looks very similar to candy corn, is easy to maintain, and has a medium growth rate. The tubular yellow and orange flower size averages from 1 to 3 inches, with a dimension of 1 to 3 feet in height and 1 to 2 feet in width.
Candy corn plants are not aromatic and they need moist, acidic soil with a pH of <6.0, and both full and partial sunlight to grow healthily. They’re also not poisonous so you don’t have to worry about touching them without gloves.
2. Buddleja madagascariensis
Also called orange buddleja, this one is a native to Madagascar and has been introduced to other countries like Kenya and Tanzania. The yellow, white, and orange flowers’ shape looks just like an upside-down corn. They usually grow around 4 to 13 feet tall, but sometimes can grow up to 32 feet tall. Buddleja madagascariensis loves areas where warmer temperatures and good drainage are available.
3. Mexican Cigar Flower
Mexican cigar flowers can be planted both outdoors and indoors. The dark burgundy color at the top of the flower head makes it look like a lit cigarette. They bloom three times a year, during fall, spring, and summer, with solitary flowers ranging from 1 to 3 inches. Reaching 1 to 2 feet in height, you can propagate this Mexico and Jamaica native plant using seeds or stem cutting.
4. Red hot pokers (Kniphofia)
Red hot pokers may be one of the most unique-looking flowers out there. Besides, this candy corn looks like corn and roasted corn with its long green stems! Red hot pokers are a perennial plant that’s easy to grow. Blooming time is around March to November. Each cultivar produces different colors. For instance, the kniphofia reflexa is more reddish-orange and shaped like a cone tree. They grow around 2 to 5 feet and will create a stunning view for your garden!
5. Orange bells or Orange Esperanza (Tecoma alata)
Are you looking for more feminine-look candy corn flowers? Orange bells are your answer. Orange bells are a group of trumpet-shaped, non-toxic bright orange flowers. They love full sun but you can also plant them in an area with partial sun. However, they will not bloom as much as when you plant them in an area with full sun. They’re much taller than the previously red-hot pokers and can reach up to 15 feet in height.
6. Climbing penstemon (Keckiella cordifolia)
The common name for climbing penstemon is heartleaf keckiella. Unlike the others, this yellowish-orange flower prefers cool to mild tropical areas. A fast-growing plant with a slight fragrance, climbing penstemon has a dimension of 3 to 6 feet in height and width. They can tolerate colds up to -5 degrees Fahrenheit and are moderately easy to maintain.
7. Desfontainia spinosa
Desfontainia spinosa is a slow-growing flower that looks like candy corn with its yellow-orange color and mini size. The leaves are green and shaped like a holly or ilex plant. The flowers are only around 1 inch in size. Blooming time is around summer to autumn. Identical to climbing penstemon, desfontainia spinosa is not a tropical plant. They originated from the Andes.
8. Brazilian Fuchsia (Justicia floribunda)
From afar, they look like firecrackers, but if you move closer, they look like candy corn flowers. Yep, they are Brazilian fuchsias. Grown for its flowers, Brazilian fuchsia is a perennial subtropical shrub related to the shrimp plant (Justicia spp.). This plant has a bright yellow and brownish-orange color, similar to what is candy corn. The maximum height is around 23 feet and they are not easy to find, so it would be a pride if you can add them to your garden!
9. Sierra Madre Lobelia (Lobelia laxiflora)
The next flowers that look like candy corn are sierra madre lobelia or simply lobelia. They’re herbaceous perennial that is around 35 feet tall and adorn with 1-inch flowers. They love growing in moist, well-drained soil with a pH of >7. May potentially be harmful to humans and pets, make sure not to ingest it and always make contact with gloves on.
10. Firecrackers Vine (Manettia luteorubra)
Firecrackers vine can easily pass as a twin of Brazilian fuchsia, but don’t get confused since they’re different plants. As the name states, the firecrackers vine is a type of perennial vine while the Brazilian fuchsia is a subtropical shrub. Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia are the native distributives of this plant. This candy corn flower is also known as the Brazilian firecracker and can reach a height of 6 feet.
Closing thoughts.
It’s never too wrong to add flowers that look like candy corn to your bucket list. They’re mostly easy to maintain, non-toxic, and beautiful. If Halloween is something you celebrate each year, you may also do a party in your garden or backyard, where you planted this flower. Who knows if they would be mistaken for hanging treats on trees?
New author in the hood. Loves gardening and flowers are my spirit animals (yes I know they are not animals but I insist). I will be covering most of the flowers’ topics here and occasionally random though as well.
