Photo of Cuphea cyanea flower, foliage by Scott Zona

Photo by Scott Zona

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Cuphea cyanea

Also Known As

  • Cuphea cyanea subsp. hirtella
  • Cuphea cyanea var. hirtella
  • Cigar Flower
  • Mexican Heather
  • Pink Mouse Ears

Plant type

perennial

size

  • H: 18"-24"
  • W: 18"-24"

planting zones

  • 8a-11

More Options

Cuphea cyanea plant details

Cuphea cyanea is a broadleaf deciduous, evergreen or semi-evergreen perennial with green foliage. In fall and summer orange, pink and yellow flowers emerge. Attracts hummingbirds. Grows well with sun - bright shade and even moisture - regular water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Cuphea cyanea

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: lythraceae
Foliage: deciduous, evergreen or semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 18 IN - 24 IN - wide, 18 IN - 24 IN - tall
Flowers: orange, pink and yellow blooms in fall and summer
Uses: container plant, mounding

GROWING CONDITIONS for Cuphea cyanea

USDA Zones: 8a - 11
Sun exposure: sun - bright shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: heat
Soil needs: well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Small cuphea with a big presence, especially when covered with tubular pink flowers with yellow tips and purple-black spots that look like tiny ears .... what's not to love? Ask any hummingbird. This Mexican charmer is only 2-3 ft tall and wide, probably remaining smaller. Best shaded from the hottest sun with regular summer water. Deadheading extends the bloom time indefinitely. Frost hardy in USDA zone 9b. Can also be pot grown in brought indoors for wintering as a houseplant.
Cute perennial from Mexico…18” mound of lax stems bear loads of 1” tubular, yellow faced, bright pink flowers with purple ‘ears’ all summer and fall. Enjoys well drained soils, full sun and average water…loves containers and kids! Seems hardier than mos
Cutest. Cuphea. Ever. Sherbet colored blooms with tiny black “ears” grace this eensie shrublet from Mexico for most of the year, & though it is no taller (or wider) than a foot, it does beg to be noticed by both human-types & discerning hummingbirds. We will probably never be able to offer this rare & whimsical species in any great quantity – probably we will only have one crop a year - so if you see it around, nab it! Easy in any rich, well drained soil, it prefers shade during the hottest part of the day, & is perfect at the front of the garden border or in medium sized pots. Deadhead to prolong bloom, & otherwise cut back by half annually to maintain growth. Annual in colder zones.
Non stop candy corn orange and yellow tubular flowers from early summer into fall. 2' tall clumping perennial.

Gardening facts about Cuphea cyanea plant

How to Grow Cuphea cyanea

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - bright shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • well-drained
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • pink
    • orange
    • yellow
  • Wildlife

    • hummingbirds
  • Flower Season

    • fall
    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
    • deciduous
    • semi-evergreen
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