About
Cuphea ignea is a low-growing evergreen sub-shrub, reaching heights of up to 40 cm. It features elongated, lanceolate leaves and produces tubular flowers that are primarily scarlet with black tips and white edges.
About the genus
Cuphea includes annuals, perennials, and evergreen shrubs, frequently characterized by sticky hairs. The leaves are arranged oppositely and are simple in structure. The flowers are tubular, featuring a prominent calyx and diminutive petals.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial, Bedding, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants
- Native to
- Mexico, Jamaica
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Best grown in well-drained soil in a sheltered site in sun or partial shade but shade from hot sun. Alternatively grow in a pot under glass or as a houseplant
- Pruning
- Pruning group 10 in spring if needed
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free