If you’re looking for an unusual and eye-catching addition to your garden, cuphea might be just the plant for you! This perennial is known for its brightly colored flowers, which can range from red to orange to yellow. Plus, Cuphea is easy to grow and care for, making it a great choice for novice gardeners. In this post, we’ll share some tips on how to grow and care for cuphea. Keep reading to learn more!
Best Cuphea Varieties
| Image | Name | Rating | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 10 ROSE CIGAR PLANT Mexican Firecracker Cuphea |  | |
 | Outsidepride Cigar Plant Scarlet | |
How to Grow and Care for Cuphea
Cuphea Hardiness Zones
Cuphea is a perennial in zones 10-12, but it is an annual everywhere else. This means that it will return each year in zones 10-12, but will not survive the winter in other zones.
How Much Sun Do Cuphea Need
Cuphea needs full sun to partial shade. They do best in bright, direct sunlight for at least 6 hours per day.
Cuphea can tolerate some afternoon shade, but too much shade will result in leggy growth and fewer flowers.
If you live in a hot climate, it’s best to plant cuphea in an area that receives morning sun and afternoon shade.
Cuphea Soil Requirements
Cuphea plants need well-drained soil that is kept moist. They will not do well in soils that are waterlogged or have poor drainage. Amend the soil with compost or peat moss to improve drainage if necessary.
Cuphea Soil pH
Cuphea plants grow well in a wide range of soil pH conditions. However, they prefer slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-6.8). If your soil is too alkaline (pH >7.0), you can adjust the pH level by adding organic matter or sulfur to the soil.
Cuphea Plant Spacing
Cuphea plants should be spaced about 12 inches apart. If you want them to grow in denser clumps, you can space them closer together, but make sure to keep an eye on them so they don’t become crowded and start to compete for light and water.
Cuphea Temperature Requirements
Cuphea is a tropical plant, so it prefers warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine. It’s not frost-tolerant, so if you live in an area with cold winters, you’ll need to bring your plants indoors or grow them in containers that can be moved inside when the weather turns chilly.
Cuphea Fertilizer Requirements
Cuphea plants need an application of balanced fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season. A good 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 fertilizer will work well, and be sure to apply the fertilizer according to the package directions.
Cuphea Water Requirements
Cuphea plants are thirsty plants that appreciate frequent watering. Prolonged drought will reduce flowering, so make sure to keep the soil evenly moist.
Cuphea Humidity Requirements
Cuphea thrives in high humidity, making them ideal for humid climates. While they can tolerate lower humidity levels, they will typically flower less profusely in drier conditions.
Cuphea Pests
Cuphea is a tropical plant that is susceptible to various pests, including aphids, thrips, and whitefly. While these pests can be controlled with pesticides, it is best to avoid them altogether if possible. One way to do this is to plant Cuphea in an area where there are natural predators of these pests, such as ladybugs (for aphids) or parasitic wasps (for Thrips & whitefly).
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Cuphea Diseases
Cuphea plants can be susceptible to Root-Knot Nematodes, which are tiny worms that live in the soil and feed on plant roots. This can lead to poor growth and stunted plants.
Root Rot is another common disease of cuphea plants, caused by a fungus that infects the roots. And when not properly prevented or treated the fungus will kill the plant’s roots, which will eventually cause the plant to die.
