Ruschia are tolerant of frost, fires and extreme droughts, and this, together with their vibrant colours, make them among the most popular water-wise garden plants known today.

All plants in this genus are generally fast-growing but short-lived and becoming stocky after four years, especially in arid and semi-arid areas.

Their tolerance of drought makes them ideal water-wise plants in the arid and semi-arid parts of the world. Brilliant seasonal colour displays can be achieved by mass planting in large areas and by using many different growth forms.

The leaves are often bluish green, three-sided, sometimes with teeth along the edges, and are nearly always stippled with darker transparent dots, which is an interesting feature in the genus.

Members of Ruschia are all very floriferous; flowers literally cover the entire plant. Flowering takes place throughout the year, reaching a peak in the autumn and spring. Flowers are diurnal (opening during the day) and sweet scented