Cuphea: varieties, care & propagation

Cuphea is a truly diverse genus of plant and many of these plants have impressive, uniquely shaped flowers. It is even possible to grow some species in the UK as ornamental garden plants or even as houseplants.

While false heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia) is probably the most well known type of Cuphea plant, the cigar plant or firecracker plant (Cuphea ignea) and the bat-faced cuphea (Cuphea llavea) are also popular varieties. These unusual names are often accompanied by equally unique flowers. Read on to discover some of the most popular Cuphea varieties as well as tips on how to grow and care for these bee-friendly flowering plants.

Cuphea: origin and characteristics

Native to South and Central America, Cuphea is a genus of plants belonging to the Lythraceae family that comprises upwards of 250 different species. Depending on species, these tropical and subtropical plants grow as herbaceous plants, climbers or semi-woody shrubs. In our latitudes, you can grow some varieties in garden beds or in pots. Of course, as our winters are a lot colder than where Cuphea originate, many tend to be annuals here. However, if grown in pots and overwintered correctly, it is possible to grow the plants as perennials. Most Cuphea plants bloom in summer and each species bears its own unique, decorative flowers.

Are Cuphea plants bee-friendly? Yes! They are bee-friendly and attract a wide variety of other pollinators, too.

Popular Cuphea species and varieties

In the UK, we can grow some of the many different types of Cuphea in our gardens or even keep them as houseplants. There are several different varieties of each species which differ mostly in flower colour. Here are a few of the most popular ones:

• C. ignea: Also known as the cigar plant or firecracker plant, C. ignea produces bright red, tubular flowers that resemble smouldering cigars. While this species is actually a perennial shrub, its sensitivity to frost means that, in northern European climates, it grows primarily as an annual.

• C. hyssopifolia: Commonly known as false heather, Hawaiian heather or elfin herb, this species looks quite different from C. ignea. Depending on the variety, the small, radially symmetrical flowers bloom in different colours such as pink or purple.
• C. hyssopifolia ‘Limelight’: The young leaves of this variety start out light green and turn darker over time.
• C. hyssopifolia ‘Allyson Lavender’: Low-growing variety perfect for growing as a ground cover.

• C. llavea: Also known as the bat-face cuphea, this species has particularly unusual flowers that resemble the head of a bat. It can be kept both in the garden, where it is popular with bees, or indoors as a unique flowering houseplant. Provided it can be overwintered in a warm place, this species can be grown as a perennial.
• C. llavea ‘Sriracha Rose’: Another variety of C. llavea but with brightly coloured, round flowers. While the flowers of ‘Sriracha Rose’ do not look like bats, they are no less remarkable.

Planting Cuphea: where and how

As Cuphea is such a large genus, it is important to consider the species-specific requirements when caring for your plant. However, most species have at least some common preferences when it comes to location. They prefer fresh, loose, nutrient-rich soil and a bright location without exposure to midday sun. As they are not winter hardy, it is best to plant Cuphea in a pot, balcony box or container. This way you can move them to a warmer spot in winter to ensure they flower again the following year. Aside from this, potted soil also warms up faster, which the plants like.

When planting Cupheas in a pot, opt for a planter with a drainage hole. For extra drainage, you can also create a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot using pebbles or expanded clay. To plant your Cuphea, use a high-quality soil designed for flowering plants, such as our Plantura Organic Flower Compost. This soil is made of all natural ingredients, well-structured, and rich in nutrients, making it a great choice for cuphea plants.

Tip: Although it is possible to grow Cuphea in drier soils, they will not flower quite as abundantly.

If you’d prefer to plant them in your garden, simply mix some potting soil into the planting hole to improve conditions for the plants. Dense, low-growing Cuphea varieties, such as ‘Alysson Lavender’, look particularly beautiful planted in a bed. You can easily create a magnificent ground cover by planting up to twelve plants per square metre. Finish off by covering the soil with a layer of mulch. A mulch layer not only looks nice, it also stops as much water evaporating from the soil.

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Note: Cuphea make great year round houseplants. Depending on the weather, you can also place potted Cuphea plants out on your balcony or in your garden.

Cuphea plant care

Cuphea plants require regular watering, ideally with lime-free water. Water potted plants once the top layer of soil is dry and pour off any excess water that gathers in the saucer. Likewise, Cupheas planted in garden beds need to be watered as soon as the soil is dry. Of course, if it rains a lot, additional watering is not necessary. To see whether your plants need watering, simply use your finger to check if the first few centimetres of soil feel dry. If so, it is time to water.

Cuphea plants also need to be fertilised in order for them to grow well and produce lots of beautiful flowers. For plants in beds, we recommend using a slow-release fertiliser, such as our Plantura All Purpose Plant Food. Our granular fertiliser consists of natural ingredients. It is also quick and easy to apply – simply sprinkle it onto the soil in April or May, gently work it in, and water. The nutrients will be slowly released to the plant over a period of at least three months.

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However, for Cuphea kept in conservatories or on the balcony, a liquid fertiliser which you dilute in water is more suitable. Our Plantura Liquid Flower Food, for instance, is specially adapted to the needs of flowering plants like Cupheas and ensures strong roots and abundant flowering. We recommend applying this fertiliser once a week from spring to autumn at half the normal dosage. If kept in the same conditions throughout winter, you can also fertilise your houseplants every two months from autumn to spring and continue to water them occasionally.

Most species benefit from being pruned. Deadheading annual shrubs not only removes unsightly withered flowers, it also encourages the plant to flower again. To encourage Cuphea to grow more compact and bushy, cut off the tips of the shoots. Give perennial shrubs a so-called rejuvenation pruning by cutting them back by about a third in spring. This encourages the plant to sprout new growth and produce lots of flowers. Due to the cold temperatures, Cuphea plants may die back to the ground in winter, but will sprout again afterwards. Here it is best to protect the base with a thick layer of mulch.

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Tip: It’s a good idea to repot potted Cuphea plants in fresh soil every spring.

Propagating Cuphea

The easiest way to propagate Cuphea plants is by taking cuttings. To do this, cut a few 5 cm long head cuttings diagonally from the mother plant in spring or autumn and remove the lowest leaves. The cut shoot should be flowerless and not completely woody. Place the cuttings in a suitable growing medium and water. To up the humidity, you can put a plastic bag over the container, but remember to air out occasionally. Afterwards, place the pots somewhere bright and warm. Once new leaves begin to grow, plant the young plants in a more nutrient-rich soil.

Are the plants winter hardy?

Not all Cuphea plants are winter hardy. C. llavea and C. hyssopifolia, on the one hand, can tolerate temperatures as low as -10 °C. C. ignea, on the other hand, prefers temperatures above freezing and should therefore be overwintered indoors. During the winter, fertilise every two months and water less often. Cover more frost-tolerant bed plants with a layer of mulch.

Is Cuphea poisonous?

Whilst Cuphea plants are non-toxic for both humans and pets, we nevertheless advise against ingesting them.

If you love plants with uniquely shaped flowers, take a look at our article on the glory lily (Gloriosa superba). Here you will find all there is to know about planting, caring for and overwintering this unusual plant.