Plant Lust
ShopOrderSellblog
0

  • Plant types

  • Plant styles

  • Planting conditions

  • Seasonal interest

  • Nurseries & Gardens

    • Photo of Cuphea ignea flower by Avant Gardens

    Photo by Avant Gardens

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

    Show all photos

    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!

    By: Little Prince of Oregon

    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.

    By: Accents for Home and Garden

    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.

    By: Avant Gardens

    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

    See other plant types of Cuphea for your garden

    Cuphea nudicostata

    aka Cuphea chiapensis, Cuphea nelsonii, Cuphea sanguinea

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    8a-11

    Size

    Height: 6"-12"

    Width: 12"-18"

    • sun - bright shade
    • even moisture
    Photo of Cuphea nudicostata foliage by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Cuphea cyanea

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

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    8a-11

    Size

    Height: 18"-24"

    Width: 18"-24"

    • sun - bright shade
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Cuphea cyanea flower, foliage by Scott Zona
    View Plant

    More Options

    Cuphea viscosissima

    aka Tall Violet Cuphea

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    9a-11

    Size

    Height: 3'

    Width: 2'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Cuphea viscosissima flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
    View Plant

    More Options

    Cuphea 'Strybing Sunset'

    aka Strybing Sunset Bat Flower, Strybing Sunset Cigar Flower

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    9a-11

    Size

    Height: 3'

    Width: 3'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Cuphea 'Strybing Sunset' flower, form by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
    View Plant

    More Options

    Cuphea aff. aequipetala

    aka Cuphea aequipetala, Mexican Loosestrife

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover

    Zones

    9a-10b

    Size

    Height: 2'

    Width: 2'

    • sun - shade
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Cuphea aff. aequipetala flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
    View Plant

    More Options

    +28 more Cuphea
    Mailing List
    Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

    © 2010—2026 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved