Cuphea hyssopifolia
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KOO-fee-ah hiss-sop-ih-FOH-lee-ah
- Description
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Mexican heather is a small, flowering, evergreen shrub native to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. It has naturalized to Hawaii and is considered weedy there.The small lavender flowers appear singly in the leaf axis along the stem and bloom profusely until frost. This compact plant tends to grow to 2 feet tall and wide in a rounded shape with multiple stems and is evergreen in warm climates or indoors.
The plant has the appearance of heather, but is not a member of the heather family. Some white- and pink-flowered cultivars are available. The genus name comes from the Greek for curved or humped referring to the shape of its seed capsules. The species name means leaves like hyssop.
It is moderately salt-tolerant, adaptable to various soils with good drainage in full sun and tolerates high summer heat and some drought, but grows best with regular moisture. In cooler climates, it is usually grown as a perennial container plant or houseplant. If grown indoors, place the plant in a warm, sunny location. In the garden, it is typically grown as an annual.
You can grow the plant from seed started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date, or propagate from tip cuttings.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
Mealybugs, thrips, and whiteflies can be a problem, particularly on indoor plants.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cuphea
- Species:
- hyssopifolia
- Family:
- Lythraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The leaves and flowers are used as a tonic and in the treatment of fevers and coughs. They are also used as an insecticide
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras
- Distribution:
- Venezuela, Columbia, Hawaii, Florida.
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 2 ft. 8 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Ground Cover
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Small seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Lavender-purple trumpet-shaped flowers with 6 petals and green calx tubes grow singly in the leaf axils. Blooms profusely from summer until frost.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 3/4 inch glossy green leaves are lance-shaped and crowded along the stem. In warm climates or indoors they are evergreen.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Green stems with hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
- Humidity
- Salt
