Cuphea spp.

cigar plants and allies

Lythraceae

Warm-temperate to tropical Americas, centered in Mexico

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Deer Resistant Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 8–11

Overview

Cuphea spp. is a genus of about 260 species in the loosestrife family (Lythraceae), ranging from annuals and herbaceous perennials to woody subshrubs. It is native to the warmer parts of the Americas, from the southern United States and Mexico through Central America to subtropical South America, with the center of diversity in Mexico. Plants reach 6 in to 6 ft (15 cm to 1.8 m) tall depending on species, with slender stems often clothed in sticky glandular hairs and narrow paired or whorled leaves. The tubular flowers are the shared mark of the genus: a colored floral tube 0.3 to 1.5 in (8 to 38 mm) long, frequently red, orange, pink, or purple, sometimes tipped with contrasting lobes. In C. ignea, the cigar plant, the red tube ends in a dark ring and white rim that suggests a lit cigar. Flowering runs through the warm season, drawing hummingbirds and long-tongued bees to nectar held deep in the tube. Most species are frost-tender and are grown as annuals or container plants outside the tropics. Stems can grow lax without pinching, and seed set is sparse in some hybrids, so named selections are usually raised from cuttings.

Native Range

The genus is native to the warmer regions of the Americas, from the southern United States and Mexico through Central America into subtropical South America. Mexico holds the greatest concentration of species.

Suggested Uses

Used in summer bedding, mixed containers, and hanging baskets, and in pollinator and hummingbird plantings. The mounding kinds edge borders and paths, spaced 12-18 in (30-45 cm) apart. Compact selections suit window boxes and patio pots.

How to Identify

Look for bushy stems covered in sticky glandular hairs, with narrow leaves set in opposite pairs or whorls. The flowers are tubular with six short lobes and a slightly slanted mouth, and the calyx tube itself is usually brightly colored. Seed capsules split along one side and sit within the persistent calyx.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 6'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowering begins in late spring and continues until frost across most of the range. In frost-free climates many species bloom nearly year-round. Each plant carries a steady succession of small tubular flowers rather than a single flush.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

red, orange, pink, and purple

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1 year

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun to light shade in fertile, well-drained soil kept evenly moist through the growing season. Warmth drives growth, and they stall in cold, wet conditions. Pinching young stems builds a denser, more branched habit. A light monthly feeding sustains bloom in containers, where the rootball dries quickly. Perennial species are root-hardy only in mild zones and are lifted or grown indoors elsewhere over winter. Watch for aphids and whitefly under glass; outdoor plantings stay largely pest-free.

Pruning

Shearing lightly through summer keeps growth compact and bloom heavy. Cut perennial and subshrub types back hard in early spring to renew the framework. Flowers drop cleanly, so deadheading is not required.