About
Cuphea viscosissima is a bushy, half-hardy annual characterized by its purple blooms that appear continuously from summer through autumn. Both the leaves and stems of this plant have a sticky texture.
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
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Bedding, Houseplants
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Best grown in well-drained soil in a sheltered site in partial shade or full sun; it benefits from shading from hot sun
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed; ideally sow direct where plants are to flower
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free