Cuphea Hyssopifolia in 4.5inch pot

Indirect sunlight, water twice a week

Cuphea—commonly known as Cigar Plant, Firecracker Plant, or Mexican Cigar—is a charming ornamental shrub loved for its continuous display of small, tubular, brightly colored flowers. It’s a favorite among gardeners for attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.

🌿 Botanical Overview

• Scientific Name: Cuphea ignea (common Cigar Plant) or other Cuphea species

• Family: Lythraceae

• Type: Evergreen perennial shrub (often grown as an annual in cooler climates)

• Height: 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 cm)

• Spread: 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm)

🌸 Flowers

• Color: Typically orange-red with dark tips, resembling a lit cigar; other varieties in pink, purple, or lavender

• Shape: Narrow, tubular

• Blooming Season: Spring through fall; year-round in warm climates

• Attracts: Hummingbirds, butterflies, pollinators

🍃 Leaves

• Color: Bright to dark green

• Shape: Lance-shaped, small, and slightly glossy

• Texture: Smooth

🌱 Growth & Care

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade (more blooms in full sun)

• Soil: Well-draining, moderately fertile soil

• Watering: Moderate; water regularly but avoid waterlogging

• Growth Habit: Bushy, compact; responds well to trimming for shape

• Pruning: Light pruning after flowering encourages bushier growth