Photo of Cuphea ignea flower by Avant Gardens

Photo by Avant Gardens

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Cuphea ignea

Also Known As

  • Cuphea 'Firecracker'
  • Cuphea ignea 'Firecracker'
  • Cuphea platycentra
  • Cuphea platycentra
  • Cigar Plant
  • Firecracker Plant

Plant type

perennial

size

  • H: 12"-18"
  • W: 24"-36"

planting zones

  • 10a-12

More Options

Cuphea ignea plant details

Cuphea ignea is a broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial with green foliage. In fall, spring and summer orange and red flowers emerge. Attracts bees and beneficial insects making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - bright shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Cuphea ignea

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: lythraceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 24 IN - 36 IN - wide, 12 IN - 18 IN - tall
Flowers: orange and red blooms in fall, spring and summer
Uses: container plant, floriferous, houseplant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Cuphea ignea

USDA Zones: 10a - 12
Sun exposure: sun - bright shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: heat
Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Cuphea ignea is a colorful tropical with cute red-orange, cigar-like trumpet flowers. A bushy shrub grower providing lots of interesting color all season. Loves warm weather. Cupheas grow best in a well-drained soil with moderate watering. Feed with a slow-release fertilizer at planting. Cigar Flower is a great plant for sunny containers! Protect your PRINCE OF PARADISE™ from frost!
A small bushy plant with tiny leaves covered with a profusion of skinny 1" long tubular flowers like the glowing ember at the end of a cigar. Tolerates heat, blooming all summer. Likes sun and does well in containers. Great houseplant. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
The first, the original, the basic cigar plant. We don't know how, but several seedlings appeared in our pot of Cuphea micropetala, and the combination of the 2 forms was quite striking. Hot orange "cigars" rimmed with black and white on tidy 8-10" plant.

Gardening facts about Cuphea ignea plant

How to Grow Cuphea ignea

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - bright shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - regular
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • red
    • orange
  • Wildlife

    • beneficial insects
    • bees
  • Flower Season

    • fall
    • summer
    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • semi-evergreen
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