It is native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, Cuba, and Guatemala.

[1][2] It is a suffrutescent herb with alternative leaves and showy colorful flowers.

[3] The common name cockroach plant (or hierba de la cucaracha) is in reference to its insecticidal properties.

[4] Leaf extracts and sap contain many insecticidal compounds — such as the indole alkaloid aspidophytine.

Some authors accept three species in the genus, others recognize two, considering H. cinereum synonymous with H. cimicidum.