cuphea, mexican heather, firecracker plant

Cuphea is a petite, repeat blooming annual or tropical flowering plant that is heat and drought tolerant. Mexican Heather produces abundant, small, bright violet flowers over glossy green foliage indoors and out. The Firecracker Cuphea develops yellow, orange to red tubular flowers that are excellent hummingbird attractants. Use as fillers in sunny container gardens and drier areas like rock gardens.

Grow in sunny areas, well-drained, amended soil. Feed with a slow release fertilizer, Osmocote® or Plant-tone®. Follow label instructions. Deadhead as needed. Mulch 2″ to suppress weeds, retain moisture and protect against extremes of soil temperature. Excellent on hot, sunny container gardens.