Home»Shrubs»Cuphea
Thecigar plant , Cuphea ignea [ KYOO - fee - uh IG - nee - uh ] is a low - growing tender repeated bush aboriginal to Mexico and parts of the West Indies .
Cigar plants belong to the Lythraceae family , which includes over 600 coinage of shrub and herbs .
The slender , tube - shaped flowers of the cuphea ignea are responsible for the vernacular name of the plant . Most citizenry call it the cigar plant .
Other common names include :
The plant name is derived from the unique tube-shaped bloom . The name “ ignea ” is Latin for “ fire . ”
This stout works is suited for growing indoors or outdoorsaround a patio , where it can spread out with its short foliage .
Before select a spot for it , review the come after flora precaution summit for Cuphea ignea .
Mexican Cigar Plant Cuphea Ignea Care
Size and Growth
The low - grow plant produces reddish stems that sprout waxy , drear dark-green leaves .
It seldom reach over 15″ inches and can spread several animal foot if allowed to grow in a garden layer .
To create a fuller appearance in a plantation owner or window boxful , radical several plants in the same container .
The cigar cuphea looks alike toManettia ( confect corn works ) .
Firecracker Plant Flowering and Fragrance
The flora flowers between May and September . As cite , the cigar flora produce subway system - mold flower resembling little cigars .
The bloom are flimsy and red with a disgraceful ring at the goal . The annulus is tip with white-hot , create the coming into court of a cigar tipped with a petty bit of ash .
The flowers do n’t have a scent .
Light and Temperature
localize the easy to develop cigar flora in an area where it can get lots of sunlight throughout the day .
Full sun ( direct morning sun ) to part tad is recommend .
It savor the light but does n’t need raging temperature . It is beseem for growth alfresco in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12 .
In warmer region , it grows outdoors as an annual . In cooler regions , grow Cuphea in a container , moving the plant indoors for the wintertime .
Watering and Feeding
During the summer grow season , water the works on a regular basis and feed with a smooth fertilizer every two or three weeks .
In the winter , stop fecundate and water system meagerly .
In the winter , temperatures run to get dryer and this tropical plant ’s root zone prefers wet and humidness .
If grown indoors , obscure the foliage softly each day to help maintain humidness .
Soil and Transplanting
The plant grows well in poriferous soil type with excellent drain . tally a little guts to the unconstipated potting mixture can assist make it more holey .
place pebbles in the bottom of the crapper also aid with drain .
transplantation is not want unless the plant starts to outgrow its current pot or planter .
When repotting the plant , wait for March or April . call up to use soil with good drain .
Maintenance and Grooming
curry the cigar industrial plant is not a requirement , but helps deal growth . To retain the plant ’s size , trim it back after blossom they and start to wither .
How to Propagate Cuphea Ignea
Seeds and cuttings are the two options for propagating the cuphea ignea . Sow the seed in other leap to develop plants that are ready to blossom in the summertime .
Take clipping in the early spring when transplanting plants brought indoors for the winter .
Always look for new shoots to get healthy cuttings .
Dip the cuttings inrooting powder or ascendent internal secretion . localise the film editing in porous soil and keep it moist . Keep the newly planted cuttings at 72 - 75 degrees Fahrenheit .
For the skillful results , grade several cutting in the same small pot . After they root and go to mature , move them to their own mass .
Cuphea Pests or Diseases
The cuphea ignea is not an invasive species or known to stop toxin .
While it ’s safe to get indoors , there are a couple of potential scourge .
Aphids and Thrips may aggress the leaves of the flora . employ an insecticide like neem oil colour to get free of these critter .
The plant is easy to care for , but it may develop brown patches near the edge of the leave .
This is a sign that the plant has not received enough illumination and is most vulgar after wintertime .
If the leaves are chocolate-brown , trim some of them back and place the plant life in a spot with stronger light , but invalidate using plant food until early natural spring .
Uses For The Cigar Cuphea Plant
The low - grow cigar plant looks great in a garden bed where it can supply primer coat cover as an yearbook . The foliage rarely reach out above 15″ inches .
Other pick include placing the works in a long plantation owner or window box where it draw in hummingbirds .
It grows well in the Dominicus and can abide restrained temperatures , making it desirable for growth out-of-doors or indoors .
