Sought after by hummingbirds and desired by gardeners who seek a free flowering plant that tolerates hot and humid conditions, the cuphea plant will light up your garden with hundreds of petite tubular flowers on pest and disease-free plants.

Latin Name:

 

The cuphea genus of plants are members of the Lythraceae family. This plant family also contains the notorious purple loosestrife, a showy wetland perennial that quickly morphed from ubiquitous garden favorite to invasive thug, and is banned from trade in some states.

Thankfully, cuphea plants share many of purple loosestrife’s characteristics but with much better manners.

Common Names:

Cuphea flowers are also referred to as cigar flowers or firecracker flowers, due to the tubular red flowers that feature a white rim with tiny maroon petals, which give the appearance of a small flame. Other popular cuphea species in the trade go by the monikers Mexican heather or candy corn plant.

Zone:

Although hardy as perennials in tropical zones 10-12, cupheas lose their vigor at season’s end. Gardeners should treat cuphea plants as tender annuals and start with fresh plant material each year.

Size:

Most cuphea plants average 12-24 inches in height, but the candy corn plant (not to be confused with the candy corn vine, Manettia luteorubra), also known as the giant cigar plant, can grow four feet tall and wide.

Exposure:

Cuphea plants bloom most prolifically in full sun, although plants will some afternoon shade.

Bloom Period:

You will find cuphea plants already in bloom when they are offered in nurseries in late spring.

Given proper care, the plants will continue blooming until frost. If blooms taper off as the season progresses, your plants may be suffering from too little sunlight, insufficient moisture, or inadequate soil nutrients.

 

Description:

The foliage of cuphea plants is lance shaped to needle-like, and is in scale with the tiny flowers of this tropical plant. Plants are dense and highly branched, although they can become leggy at summer’s end. Cuphea flowers come in vivid colors like red, pink, orange, and purple. Bicolored varieties are common. The tiny tubular flowers are sometimes said to resemble mice or bats due to the two flaring petals at the flower tips.

Planting:

Plant cuphea transplants in good garden loam that drains freely to prevent root rot. Space the plants at least 12 inches apart to allow the ample air circulation that keeps mildew at bay.

Maintenance:

 

Cuphea appreciates regular moisture, although a short drought or week-long vacation won’t hurt the plants. You won’t need to deadhead cuphea to promote blooming, but pinching back the plants in late summer will help maintain the pleasing compact shape. Cuphea is a light feeder, and you can get by without any fertilizing at all if you mulch with compost and manure. In poor or rocky soils, a monthly balanced flower fertilizer will help cuphea reach its blooming potential.

Healthy plants rarely have insect problems, but whiteflies, spider mites, and aphids may occasionally damage stressed plants. Cuphea foliage is substantial enough to accept a spritz of light horticultural oil when temperatures are below 90 degrees F to control any pest outbreak.

 

Design Tips:

Cuphea plants liven up the middle of the flower border, where they draw hummingbirds and butterflies alike. Cuphea plants are good container and window box specimens; their mounding habit compliments upright plants like purple fountain grass or coleus.

Varieties:

 

• David Verity: Orange flowers, purple flower tips, and glossy leaves
• Flamenco Rumba: An eight-inch cutie perfect for your hanging baskets
• Flamenco Samba: Grow this three-foot specimen with dark red flowers as a small shrub
• Mexican Heather: C. Hyssopifolia is frequently offered as a potted gift plant, smothered in lavender flowers
• Totally Tempted: A compact variety with brilliant red and purple flowers