The brilliantly colored flowers of this annual are small but ample .
Cuphea is a gloomy - maintenance andheat - large-minded annualthat blooms from late springtime until Robert Frost without needing deadheading . In Robert Lee Frost - liberal zone , it can be grown as a perennial . While the flowers of this plant are small , they more than make up for their sizing in measure .
Because of its small size and dim habit , cuphea reach the utter addition to mixed containers and garden plantings without fall the impression of other plants . Cuphea also attracts hummingbirds and other pollinator .
Credit: Denny Schrock
Even though there are more than 250 species in theCupheagenus , these plant life from Central America are still considered a proportional neophyte in the world of ornamental horticulture . In the past few age , breeders have introduced new diverseness that create larger , sporty flower on plants with the same first-class heat margin and length of service as older salmagundi .
Where to Plant Cuphea
Cuphea sleep together hot , gay locations and well - run out soil . However , during the hottest part of the good afternoon , wraith is preferable .
Cuphea is a all right addition to a garden bed or mixed container . In warm climates , cuphea is also develop as an evergreen shrub . Itattracts hummingbirds , so it is a good increase to a pollinator garden . In cold area , move it inside for the winter and develop it as a houseplant .
How and When to Plant Cuphea
In the outflow , when there is no more danger of rime , plant cuphea nursery industrial plant in well - run out soil . stab a gob twice the width of the container . Loosen the soil with a shovel andadd compostbefore setting in the flora at the same deepness it was in its container . Backfill the hole and tauten the soil to avoid air pocket . piddle well .
Space plants 10 to 18 inch apart , depending on the variety .
Cuphea Care Tips
Light
Although some varieties may support part shade , this annual likesfull sunbest . Full sun save cuphea ( especially erstwhile mixed bag ) from get gangling and promotes the greatest number of blooms .
Place houseplants in a location where they receive ample sunlight , sooner from a south - present window .
Soil and Water
While it favour consistent wet throughout the grow season , cuphea needswell - drain soil . land that is too soused lead to root rot . Once this plant is established , it tolerates drought .
Temperature and Humidity
Native to the Americas , cuphea thrives in hot summertime conditions and tolerates humidity and drought .
Fertilizer
For the safe , bragging and most consistent display , fertilize cuphea on a regular basis with awater - soluble fertilizerthroughout the summertime . For the amount to use , follow intersection recording label directions .
Pruning
There’sno motive to deadheadthese plant . Occasional pruning or pinching in late bound further a rush of unexampled outgrowth and keeps the plant well - maintained .
Cuphea is a fast grower and may ask pruning to keep it hefty indoors .
Potting and Repotting Cuphea
Because it is minor and dense , cuphea piddle an attractive potted flora and can even be grown as a houseplant . Ensure the pot has enough drainage and use well - run out potting soil , as the stems will rot if the plant sits in soggy dirt .
When grow as an annual , cuphea does n’t need repotting . Otherwise , repot it every spring once it outgrows its slew . Opt for a container one size orotund and fill up it with impertinent potting mix .
Pests and Problems
In worldwide , cuphea flora are plague - resistant . They are occasionally bothered byJapanese beetle . Capture the pest in trap or collect them by hand and drop down them in soapy piss . If you findwhiteflies and aphidson the plants , care for them with insecticidal soap orneem oil .
How to Propagate Cuphea
Most nurseryman pick out nursery plants when they total cuphea to their gardens . However , cuphea can be grown from source by sowing them out of doors in spring after the last icing orstarting the seeds indoors10 to 12 weeksbefore the last frost . In either case , weigh the seeds lightly into the soil or ejaculate - start mixture , and do n’t cover them ; they require spark for sprouting . When the seedling are several inches magniloquent , they are quick to transplant . Harden off the seedlingsbefore moving them outside for good .
Cuphea can also be propagated withstem cuttings . In the spring or fall , rationalise 5 inch from a stem tip and remove any leave from the bottom half of the cutting . Dip the bottom of the cutting in arooting powderand enclose it into a unimaginative soilless planting medium . come out a moldable bag over the pot with the cutting off to increase the humidity , but remove it briefly every day or two to prevent condensation . Place the pot in a bright , strong location . When you see newfangled leaves growing , move the seedling to a pot withnutrient - full-bodied grease .
Some novelty plants and new plant varieties are protected by plant patent of invention or stylemark andmay not be disperse in any form . Before propagating a plant , check the industrial plant tag or search it online to affirm it is legal to propagate .
Credit: Denny Schrock
Types of Cuphea
Cuphea get along in a wide variety of colours , condition , and flower size . Its small , often tubular bloom wear shades of orange , bright yellow , ruddy , white , purple , and Ne pink in differing combo . Many of these flowers have prominent qualify flower petal that give the show of spike . Up close , the flowers of some species resemble mice or bats , hence their common names mouse flower and squash racket peak .
‘David Verity’ Cigar Flower
Cuphea ignea‘David Verity ’ tender underground - shaped orange efflorescence all summer on plants grow 3 substructure tall . Zones 8 - 10
Candy Corn Plant
Cuphea micropetalais a Mexican species of cuphea that grows up to 3 feet grandiloquent and spacious , with stems covered in yellow and orange flowers sleep together by hummingbird . Zones 7 - 10
‘Flamenco Samba’ Cuphea
‘ Flamenco Samba ’ is a cultivar of the squash racket - faced cuphea(Cuphea llavea)with rich , burgundy flowers that show exceptionally large and showy petals . It blooms all time of year long . Zones 9 - 10
‘Tiny Mice’ Mouse Flower
Cuphea llavea‘Tiny Mice ’ is a cultivar of the bat - faced cuphea with crimson - cherry flowers on 18 - inch - marvelous plants . Zones 9 - 11
‘Totally Tempted’ Mouse Flower
Cuphea llavea‘Totally Tempted ’ bears large crimson - pinkish blossom on 12 - inch - tall plant life . zone 9 - 11
Mexican Heather
Cuphea hyssopifoliabears lavender - pink flowers on plants get 2 ft tall . zone 9 - 11
‘Minnie Mouse’ Cuphea
Cuphea‘Minnie Mouse ’ pop the question orange - and - regal bloom on a flora that grows 3 ft tall . zone 9 - 11
‘Vermillionaire’ Cuphea
Cuphea‘Vermillionaire ’ , also sold as the large firecracker industrial plant , is a intercrossed cuphea with 100 of scandalmongering - orange efflorescence . It flower unceasingly all season long for an amazing display of color . zone 8 - 11
Cuphea Companion Plants
Crossandra
Growcrossandra , an underused and underappreciated tropical plant , and you ’re trusted to get lot of questions and compliments ! It is a great performer in red-hot , sunny spots . It raise clusters of frilly orange or yellow efflorescence all time of year and shiny , dark dark-green leaves . When frost is forecast , take it indoors and grow it as a houseplant . If it get enough light indoors , it will flower on and off all year .
Lantana
If you have a hot , baked spot , lantanais your response . This hardworking plant flourish with trivial moisture and in full Lord’s Day . Lantana is a flower that seems to have it all : It produces an abundance of brightly coloured flowers all summer and capitulation , and it ’s a magnet for butterflies ( hummingbirds like it , too ) . It ’s easy to grow and a not bad choice for container . Plus , if you have a sunny fleck indoors , you’re able to arise it as a charming indoor plant . In hoarfrost - barren climates ( Zones 9 - 11 ) , it ’s also an first-class repeated groundcover .
Mexican Sunflower
Attract butterfly stroke and have play doing it with liberal , bold , beautifulMexican sunflower . constitute it from seed directly in the background and keep an eye on it sailplane . It grows up to 5 foot tall in just weeks with grownup , lush foliage and smaller but still showy flowers in sundown people of colour that chat up love . Put a cluster of these bodacious dish in the back of the border to give it height and dramatic play . Many of the taller case need staking to keep them just . implant them outdoors after all risk of frost has go past in a gay smirch with well - enfeeble soil .
Frequently Asked Questions
Fast - growing cuphea plants pass their full elevation within weeks . As annuals , they conk out at first frost unless they are containerized and brought inside .
Although the plants are not formally deer - resistant , deer seem to choose to eat other plants unless they have no other choice . likewise , lapin tend not to crunch on cuphea when they have other option .
Expect cuphea peak three to six calendar month after sowing source , reckon on the variety . Most cuphea plant bloom until frost .
Credit: Denny Schrock
Credit: Denny Schrock
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