[4] It is native to the extreme lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas[5] and to parts of Mexico: in the northeast and further south along the Gulf coast as well as the Pacific coast in Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, and a small portion of Sinaloa.

[8] Yellow, slightly fragrant flowers are produced on 7.6–15.2 cm (3.0–6.0 in) terminal spikes[7] of 10 to 30.

[4] Blooming takes place from February to July, often continuing to October.

[7] Mexican holdback is cultivated as an ornamental because of its showy flowers, lush,[4] fine-textured foliage, and drought tolerance.

[9] Erythrostemon mexicanus is the host plant for the caterpillars of the curve-winged metalmark (Emesis emesia).