FIRECRACKER CUPHEA

Characteristics  Type: Annual  Sun: Full sun  Zone: 10 to 12  Water: Medium  Height: 1.50 to 2.50 feet  Maintenance: Low  Spread: 1.50 to 2.50 feet  Suggested Use: Annual  Bloom Time: Flowers freely  Attracts: Butterflies,  Bloom Description: Red  Fruit: Showy Culture

Winter hardy to USDA Zones 10-12. In cooler areas, it is grown as an annual, container or houseplant. In the garden, it is best grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates part shade. It is easily grown from seed started indoors 10-12 weeks before last spring frost date. It tolerates high summer heat. It also tolerates some drought, but performs best with regular moisture. can become leggy as the growing season progresses, in which case stem tips may be pinched as needed to maintain good plant form. If grown in containers, plants may be overwintered indoors in bright, sunny locations with temperatures in the 60s and reduced watering. Plants may be propagated from tip cuttings in the fall for overwintering. It is generally best to start new plants each year.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Cuphea ignea, commonly called firecracker plant or cigar flower, is native to Mexico and the West Indies. It is a rounded, densely branched, bushy, evergreen sub- that grows 20-30” tall and as wide. Small, tubular, bright red flowers (to 1.25” long) bloom singly in the leaf axils from late spring to frost along stems crowded with pointed, lance-shaped to ovate, dark green leaves (to 1 1/2” long). Each flower consists of a narrow, tubular, red calyx (no corolla) tipped with a thin white rim and two tiny purple-black petals, all of which is purportedly suggestive of a lit cigar (cigarette or firecracker). Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies.

Genus name comes from the Greek word kyphos meaning curved or humped in probable reference to the shape of its seed capsules.

Specific epithet comes from the Latin word for fire.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Uses

Annual for borders, beds or edgings along walkways or paths. Container plant for decks, patios or porches. Hanging baskets. Houseplant. Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Society Plant Finder