In the garden, eastern coralbean can be used anywhere except under deep shade, where it will not bloom much. In average soils, it will top out at 3-4'. In garden settings, however, it will grow absolutely anywhere, from deep shade to full sun. Though horticulturally classed as a reseeding annual, tropical sage often escapes winter freezes in southern Louisiana, particularly when it grows under evergreen canopies and other protected locations. Hummingbirds and sulfur butterflies favor it heavily.
New seedlings spring up at various times of the year in the vicinity of mature plants.
These seedlings can either be left in place to thicken a planting, or can be lifted and moved to other areas or given to friends. Tropical sage cultivars, on the other hand, reseed at much less vigorous rates.