Raise a Cup to Cupheas
I’ve long known of Mexican or false heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia). It survived in my mother’s yard for many years with little care. The top is partially or completely killed in the winter, but in southeastern Louisiana, it grows back from its roots most years. Mexican heather plants typically have purple flowers, though white- and pink-flowered varieties exist. It grows to about one foot tall.
It wasn’t until I started perusing beds at the Hammond Research Station that I became familiar with some of the other cupheas. Cupheas have tubular flowers, though one must look more closely to see this on Mexican heather than on some other species. They support pollinators including butterflies, bees, and – for the red- and orange-flowered ones, at least – hummingbirds.
Vermillionaire (‘Cupver’) and ‘David Verity’ are typically identified as Cuphea hybrids. They have reddish-orange flowers in summer and fall. Like the species C. ignea, these two varieties are often called cigar plants – for the shapes of the flowers – or firecracker plants. Vermillionaire grows to approximately 2 to 2.5 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. ‘David Verity’ grows to roughly 3 feet tall.
Giant Mexican cigar plant (C. micropetala) is one of the more cold-hardy cupheas and likely to be root-hardy in all parts of Louisiana most years. Another name, candy corn plant, reflects its bicolor yellow and orange flowers. Giant Mexican cigar plant grows to about 3 feet tall or taller. In winters when the top is killed or cut back, this species starts flowering later than Vermillionaire or ‘David Verity’ – in late summer or fall – so you generally won’t have as much time during the growing season to enjoy the blooms on this one.
The names bat-faced and tiny mice cuphea give you an idea of the look of the red and purple flowers on C. llavea. I’m not as familiar with this one as I am with the others mentioned here, but my understanding is that it may come back from the roots in some winters in southeastern Louisiana. It grows to roughly 2 feet tall.
There are many other Cuphea species and hybrids. One that’s survived in my yard for several winters is suspected to be the cultivar ‘Starfire’, which is a hybrid of C. ignea and C. angustifolia. It has flowers that are mostly pink, with some light purple and white, and grows to about 1 to 2 feet tall.
For all of these plants, a full or partial sun site and good drainage are recommended. The latter is especially important for winter survival. As with other root-hardy plants of tropical origin, late winter (after the last freeze) or spring planting is probably best, to help them get established before cold weather arrives.
And a note: Please remember to turn in your application by June 12 if you’re interested in the 2026 Louisiana Master Gardener course in Tangipahoa Parish.
Let me know if you have questions.
Dr. Mary Helen Ferguson is an Extension Agent with the LSU AgCenter, with horticulture responsibilities in Washington and Tangipahoa Parishes. Contact Mary Helen at mhferguson@agcenter.lsu.edu or 985-277-1850 (Hammond) or 985-839-7855 (Franklinton).
