Kochia - Mexican Fire Weed ( Bassia scoparia) Mexican Fireweed Burning Bush Summer Cypress

Kochia Mexican Fire Bush (Bassia scoparia) 

Annual

Height 2 - 7 ft

Large annual herb in the Amaranthaceae (buckwheat) family and is native to Eurasia. The plant forms a highly ornamental candelabra shape; the feathery and finely textured bright green leaves turn a beautiful fuschia red colour in the fall. Kochia leaves and growing tips are edible; the plant is very salty tasting. Seeds are also useful as a garnish (tonburi) and have a texture somewhat like caviar hence the reason it is called 'field caviar' or 'land caviar'. In Japan, tonburi is a delicacy.

• Full sun
• Self seeds easily especially in zones 8-10
• Surface sow and keep moist until germination occurs (10-14 days approx)
• transplant seedlings outdoors after all risk of frost has passed (approx 8 weeks)
• Great for containers
• Moist well draining soil with lots of organic material
• Very drought and salt tolerant; an excellent plant for xeriscaping
• seeds germinate within 10-15 days
• Kochia was introduced to many parts of North America, where it is found in grassland, prairie, and desert shrub ecosystem
• Seed Count: 10