The foliage is generally dark green and fairly dense, with the new growth often purple-tinged. The leaf stalk is hairy and bears a distinctive stalked gland. The pods are flat, semi-translucent, up to 85mm in length, tapering sharply at both ends. The flame thorn is best grown from seed. The seeds should be soaked in hot water.
Viability is highly variable and unpredicable.
Seedlings should appear within 2 weeks of sowing. Growth rate after transplanting is initially slow and then increases. It should be protected from frost when young. As a hedging plant, it can form an impenetrable and attractive screen. Although this tree usually has a rather untidy scrambling habit, the bright-coloured pods make it an attractive garden feature.